The Multivan Merida Biking Team has always attached great importance to long-term planning and continuity. This is what makes possible the familiar, yet performance-oriented atmosphere for which the team has become known over the years. It is therefore fitting that the Czech Ondrej Cink and the Swiss Thomas Litscher have been given new contracts for the next two years. Team manager Fabian Aust comments: "We are pleased to be able to extend the contracts with both of them at an early stage. We are convinced that the Multivan Merida Biking Team will provide them with the right conditions to develop even further and take the next step forward."

After a sensationally strong first season in the elite category, the young Czech rider Ondrej Cink looked set to build on this performance at the start of the 2014 season. But then Cink had to deal with health problems that ruined almost his entire season. "I'd never had problems like that before and it affected me both physically and mentally. It wasn't until the world championships that I was happy with my performance again," says Cink, looking back on the past season. "I'm all the happier that I can continue to ride for the Multivan Merida Biking Team. I feel comfortable in this team and I have everything I need here. With regard to the coming season, I want to train more at altitude, also because the World Championships will take place in Andorra in 2015. In the World Cup, I want to ride consistently in the top 10, as I did last year, and at least once in the top 5 and thus on the podium."

Thomas Litscher is also pleased that his sporting future is secured with the extension of his contract for another two years and that he can continue to work in a familiar environment. "I'm also confident that my health problems following my root canal treatment are a thing of the past and that I'll be able to build on my performances from the 2013 season next year. I want to get back into the top 10 and, if possible, onto the World Cup podium," Litscher looks ahead and adds: "Thanks to the great atmosphere in the team and the really professional environment, nowhere are the conditions as good as with the Multivan Merida Biking Team to exploit my full potential." Of course, Thomas Litscher is particularly looking forward to the World Cup home race in Lenzerheide. But in the coming season, the Swiss rider wants to be at the front in every World Cup race.

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