The "MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TEAM" significantly rejuvenated its squad for the 2013 season with the signing of Thomas Litscher (SUI) and Ondrej Cink (CZE). The two of them fitted into the existing team without any problems and rode onto the World Cup podium straight away. Litscher finished fourth in Nove Mesto and Cink second in Andorra. Inspired by these successes, the racing team has now signed another young and strong rider, the German Julian Schelb, for the next two years.

The most spectacular performances of Julian Schelb, who turns 21 in November, have so far been three second places: At the German U23 Championships, he was only beaten by Christian Pfäffle. At the World Championships, he finished second behind Gerhard Kerschbaumer right after the start after a crash in the turmoil through no fault of his own, and Julian Schelb also rode to a strong second place in the U23 World Cup on the selective course in Mont Sainte-Anne. This put Schelb in the spotlight. As his contract with the German team "Lexware-Rothaus" expires at the end of the season, the U23 vice world champion was on the wish list of some team bosses.

"As the "MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TEAM" offers me the best support and the best environment, the decision was not difficult for me," explains Julian Schelb. "My personal trainer Ralph Näf rode for this team himself until the end of 2012, and I already know José Hermida and Rudi van Houts well. I've already been on two training camps lasting several weeks in South Africa with Rudi, and I also got to know José quite well through Ralph." When asked about his goals, Schelb is as confident as he is determined: "In my last U23 year, I want to achieve top placings and then I want to make a smooth transition into the elite category."

As far as his strengths and weaknesses are concerned, Julian Schelb says: "My greatest strength is my determination and my fighting spirit. If I really want to achieve something, I can work extremely hard for it. I can also keep up with the best when it comes to riding technique. My biggest weakness is my lack of organization. If it were up to me, I would spend half a day on the sofa. But I'm sure that the "MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TEAM" will give me the structure I need to get the best out of myself in this respect."

As manager of the "MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TEAM", Fabian Aust is also looking forward to working with Schelb: "First of all, we are delighted that Julian has chosen us. He is a man for the future, and after this further rejuvenation of the squad we can now plan the coming years in peace. The fact that the team will be competing in three World Cup races is another plus point. And, of course, I hope that Julian will make his mark in the elite category in 2015, just as Thomas Litscher and Ondrej Cink did last season."

Julian Schelb says goodbye to the "Lexware-Rothaus Team" with a thank you. "I was able to grow with the Lexware team. Without this professional support, I would not have made it to the professional team. I am very grateful for that," says Schelb.

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