| Continental are well known for supplying their top level racing tyres and tubulars to the top teams on the continent. Teams such as T-Mobile and Credit Agricole have been benefitting from tyres handmade in Germany for some years now, but away from the pro racing scene there is also a sizable investement into 'local heroes' all over Europe. These teams comprise of grassroots and intermediate level riders who are on the road to a professional contract or who are prominent in the amatuer ranks.
The Merlin Development Squad consists entirely of junior riders plus team director Cherie Pridham, an elite female rider and veteran of seven Tours de France. Cherie is both the boss on and off the bike and regularly races with the team to keep them on their toes. The team are sponsored by Merlin U.K based in Swindon, a subsidiary of Merlin USA.
The team all ride Grand Prix Attack / Force racing clinchers in the red & black colour option and are very complimentary about their new racing rubber, after switching from other brands at the start of the year.The teams Simon Holt and Jon Mozeley have both been very successful so far in 2005 and Conti wishes the team continued success in the future. |