CYCLING – Team Bahrain Victorious and Merida have mutually agreed to conclude their long-standing partnership after nine highly successful seasons, the team announced.
From the team’s launch in 2017 and the early era as Team Bahrain Merida, Merida helped establish the foundations of the project as co-title sponsor, shaping its vision, technical direction, and competitive identity from day one.
From the very beginning, the partnership proved historic, as the team won two Monuments in its first two seasons through Vincenzo Nibali’s triumph at Il Lombardia in 2017 followed by his sensational Milan-San Remo victory in 2018, firmly placing the Bahrain Merida colours onto cycling’s biggest stage.
Across the years that followed, Bahrain Victorious and Merida celebrated more defining moments – including Sonny Colbrelli’s iconic Paris-Roubaix victory, numerous Grand Tour stage wins, Matej Mohoric’s legendary San Remo descent with the dropper seat post, and Mohoric’s Gravel World Championship title in 2023, once again showcasing Merida’s technical excellence across multiple cycling disciplines.
Merida was instrumental in supporting the team’s innovative performance approach. Together they helped pioneer technical advancements that influenced World Tour racing as a whole – from the early adoption of tubeless tyres to the famous application of the dropper seat post at Milan-San Remo, and the continuous evolution of racing equipment and aerodynamic thinking.
Bahrain Victorious managing director Milan Erzen commented: “Merida are more than just partners – they are lifelong friends. They have been part of the family from the very beginning and played an integral role in all of our success.
“We say goodbye to a great partner who we will be racing against in the near future and who will no doubt continue to find success on the road.
“From all of us at Bahrain Victorious, it is a huge pleasure and a massive thanks to them.”
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