is a brand of Bohle

World Edition 2/2005 ■ November ■ 2nd year

Exciting new products at the autumn shows Marathon:The

Editorial newest generation Dear Schwalbe partner, The turbulent market conditions of 2005 seem to indicate that dealers in most European markets will at best suffer sales stagnation this year. However, the dramatic rise in energy prices over the past few months quite clearly signifies one thing: The bicycle has a future and not only as a leisure product, but also as a straight- forward, everyday means of transport. Experts predict continuous growth in the medium term for the European bicycle market and, as already experienced over the past few years, this will be a great op- portunity for specialist dealers to further enhance their market position. High-qua- lity with innovative components are likely to dominate the market and will require expert and comprehensive servic- 20 years of Marathon: To celebrate its that is specifically asked for by name. Marathons ing, which only competent, specialist dea- anniversary, Bohle has treated its le- "Such a firmly established, market top offer dealers lers can provide. gendary, long distance runner to a full seller as the Marathon, needs to be up- attractive We have prepared the Schwalbe brand makeover. Inside and out the fourth dated and modernized from time to margins. well to cater for a strong 2006 season and generation of the Marathon incorpo- time in order to incorporate the latest we would urge you to join us by taking rates the very latest in technology. trends in tire technology”, said Holger advantage of our innovative products This and other new products – like the Jahn, joint managing director of Bohle. and marketing tools. Because there is one Marathon Racer, several MTB tire in- "20 years ago it was the first high-tech thing we can say for certain: The demand novations and the economical Com- tire developed for everyday cyclists – for Schwalbe products will continue to pact Shop – were presented on Bohle’s and hence a revolution. After many grow further in 2006. stands at the Friedrichshafen and Co- years of continual technical advance- Sincerely, logne shows in Germany. ment this year’s bead-to-bead remake now reflects the highest achievable Frank Bohle The Marathon is Europe’s biggest sell- technical standards possible." Managing director of Ralf Bohle GmbH, ing tire. And in the bicycle business it Refreshed and technically revised, Germany is one of only very few everyday Bohle’s classic tire is aimed at the

Schwalbe's Nobby Evermore - Stagewin on Nic is the world's chair users are : first tire available buying tires Georg Totschnig with Triple Com- from specialist at the Tour de pound. bicycle dealers. France.

Page 4 Page 6 Page 8 2Sales Continuation Marathon:The newest generation

whole European market. But in rela- Frank Bohle, managing director of The fabric is lighter than a rub- tion to German market conditions Ralf Bohle GmbH, Germany: "The ber coated side wall and together with the tire should be arriving at a diffi- Marathon solves the problems of the new tread design the Snake Skin cult time, as the specialized trade is everyday cyclists and at the same has a malleable look as if made from a experiencing a general decline in the time is a profitable product for bicycle casting. The new tread was designed ready market for high-quality parts dealers. This is particularly important to appeal to trekking riders: Dynamic, and tires. Yet despite the difficult eco- in difficult times when customers de- lighter rolling yet at the same time nomic climate many bicycle dealers mand value for money quality". durable. are experiencing at least stable and more often rising sales of Marathon, Marathon Racer and Marathon Plus and Marathon XR. Compact Shop Since the launch of the third genera- tion Marathon in 1999, Bohle is now Walter van den Hoven, managing In addition to the fourth generation ready to offer the specialized trade a director of Anglo Dutch, the Nether- of its classic Marathon, Bohle is also new version of its proven top product lands: "The Marathon offers a good launching a purpose-made Marathon: incorporating the very latest techno- margin and so for many years it has The Marathon Racer. It is a lighter, logy. been a cornerstone product. Additio- sportier, folding tire (370 gram in size Tread design and rubber compound, nally consumers cannot buy it from 700 x 30C) created for those who need puncture protection and side wall: discounters so the entire specialized to travel quickly around the city – for Bohle engineers have completely re- trade profits". example riders of light weight trek- vamped the old tire. The rubber com- king bikes, or bike couriers. It features: pound, which like all compounds re- A dynamic, light tread, a sporty side mains a closely-guarded secret, is re- wall and easy rolling Qualifier Com- volutionary. Holger Jahn would only Philip Taylor, managing director pound. It also offers a high level of say: "This special combination of che- of Bohle UK, England: "Cycle com- puncture protection, provided by a micals would have been inconceiv- muters and touring cyclists alike know Raceguard belt made of india rubber able just two years ago". As always the Marathon's deserved reputation and fabric, yet this adds neither with rubber mixtures the challenge is for quality and performance. Penny weight, nor negatively affects rolling to optimize characteristics, which are per mile it offers the best value for resistance. actually opposites: The new formula money for both users and dealers A further show highlight was the succeeds in achieving a never before too, as it has an infinitesimally low mini version of the Bohle Shop System, seen level of sophistication in a tour- return rate". the Basic Shop measuring just 1.25 x ing tire by not only improving durabi- 2.40 meters and which offers specialist lity, but by accomplishing the balanc- dealers a high-quality, professional ing act between low in improving the protection belt of tire display at a remarkably low price. and better wet grip. the Marathon by combining flexible "Shop System and Marathon form with threads. an economically attractive combina- New protection belt The new belt, though somewhat tion for bicycle dealers", stressed Holger thicker than its predecessor is never- Jahn. "The new Marathon is a genuine "There are important reasons for this theless more flexible and significantly, top product where the specialized trade new tire", explained Holger Jahn. rolling resistance has actually been can profit from large numbers of items "Over the past two years there have improved. sold. And the Compact Shop makes our been developments in technical in- The Marathon has also profited Shop System an interesting option even novations which were suitable for in- from Snake Skin technology as used for smaller businesses, or for dealers corporation into the new Marathon". last year for the first time in the Albert who, in the first instance, only want to Bohle’s experience with the Smart- series of MTB tires. "For many a tire the invest a little capital". Guard puncture protection belt as side wall is its Achilles' heel", said Hol- used in the Marathon Plus has helped ger Jahn. "Now it has been reinforced."

Marathon-Milestones

1981 1983 1985 1992 1995 1998 2002 2005 Round-the- Wolfgang Rei- Journey over, The second The purpose- The third ge- The "flat-less" On its 20th world cyclist che picks up product generation made expedi- neration Ma- Marathon anniversary, Wolfgang Rei- the first ever, thoroughly Marathon tion tire - Ma- rathon in HS Plus becomes the fourth che rides out genuine Ma- tested: The with tread rathon XR - is 308 tread pat- an outright generation of on prototypes rathon tires in Marathon is pattern HS presented. tern is creat- best seller. the Marathon of what will Indonesia. launched onto 270 as well as ed. All Mara- is launched at become Mara- the market. the Marathon thon family ti- the autumn thon tires on Sport arrive res get a shows. his long trek on the scene. Kevlar punc- around the ture protec- globe. tion belt.

profile · 2/2005 Sales3

Extraordinary co-operation strengthen bicycle dealers Success in numbers

European-wide discounters are mak- ing life hard for the specialized bicy- cle trade. The German and Swiss prize winners of a Marketing competition, co-sponsored by Schwalbe, demon- strate how intelligent alliances can be used to successfully compete with discounters. Also an example from Britain shows how a clever idea made the Marathon Plus a 'best seller'.

Following a negative newspaper article about local bicycle dealers and in order to counteract it, Holger Juhren of Ute's Radelshop in Bremerhaven, Germany, systematically began to visit his collea- gues in order to thrash out a common strategy. After many discussions it soon turned out that nearly everyone shared the same problems. "It was an astonis- hingly pleasant experience", said a sur- prised Juhren after he had gotten to know each of the other local dealers personally. Schwalbe dealer Chamberlaine Cycles of London has an orginal display for Marathon: A parking meter Nowadays these twelve dealers reminds shoppers that they have to pay to park their car. share common bonds. They place full- page adverts together in the local press all the dealers are united. Through their become so hotly sought after that they about various topics – touring, lighting, publicity actions they have sharpened are even stolen and appear on other winter, etc.. This has not only enhanced the profile of the specialized trade in businesses' bicycles. their image of efficiency, but it has also comparison with their non-specialist Cyrill Wiget described his concept, increased the perceived value for mo- competitors. "What particularly im- which has been welcomed at the city's ney provided by specialized bicycle dea- pressed us was the way that potential busy commuter station. "A high-quali- lers. And all at a more than favourable competitors, without any ‘ifs’ and ty bike – safely parked – together with ‘buts’, all pulled together”, said jury the railway are a great fit and we offer member Frank Bohle, managing direc- our customers an even easier way to tor of Ralf Bohle GmbH in Germany, integrate their own transport policy". who presented the marketing prize at The owners have clearly increased the the ceremony. awareness level of their Velociped spe- cialist shop thereby creating a brand. Safer parking London Marathon An unusual co-operation also led to success for the specialist bicycle shop London based Schwalbe retailer Cham- Velociped of Lucerne, Switzerland. Part- berlaine Cycles has found an unusual, ner Cyrill Wiget had a simple, yet inge- yet very effective way of displaying Ma- nious idea: By displaying a Velociped rathon Plus tires: By using London park- sticker, customers could leave their ing meters! Not only is the display eye- bicycles free of charge at the railway catching, but by being placed just inside station’s ‘Velostation’ – bicycle park- the shop doorway, it has also greatly in- ing. During its 15 years’ existence the creased the sales of this tire. It serves as a bicycle business has given customers further reminder that you have to pay to free parking that would otherwise cost park your car, but pay nothing to park Daily advertisement: Customers of bicycle dealer – Velociped approximately 60 cents a day. And the your bike. Shop manager Chris Lawson in Lucerne (Switzerland) park free of charge at the station. response of customers and the media commented that the Marathon Plus has interest was so great that Velociped really proved itself as the only tire that rate, as costs are always divided by extended the contract with the Velo- can cope with the notoriously bad Lon- twelve. A further example of success- station for a further five years. don streets; as is not only very reliable, ful co-operation is a bicycle show, Each day, on entering the Velostation but also good value for money and, in which the group organizes. the rider has to call out-loud the shop's turn, this has led to increased sales of "Our competition is not with the bi- name and so eventually the name be- other Schwalbe products. cycle business next door, but discoun- comes synonymous with cycling. In the ters" and that is a statement on which meantime the business' stickers have

profile · 2/2005 4Technology

Ideal combination of three rubber compounds World first: triple compound MTB tire

Nobby Nic was co-developed by Bohle technician Markus Hachmeyer (left) and advisor Gerrit Gaastra of GG Concepts.

Nobby Nic, Schwalbe’s competition tire for extreme MTB tire with triple compound. Mar- good and durability. Maxi- conditions, is the world’s first MTB tire with a triple kus Hachmeyer, Schwalbe technician mum Grip Compound is used on the compound tread. By using three different rubber com- and MTB racer, described the philo- tire shoulders, supplying the neces- pounds in a single tire a new symbiosis of high grip, sophy of the Evolution Line. "Evolution sary cornering grip to the outer lugs low rolling resistance and durability has been achieved. is defined as constant development and where its ‘sticky’ characteristics A world first that is sure to become a benchmark in in- and improvement. Triple compound give more grip in wet conditions and novation for 2006. is the next stage in the development fast cornering. Beneath both of the of tire technology“. By using a triple tread compounds lies a layer of the Nobby Nic complements the Racing compound Schwalbe has achieved easy rolling Qualifier Compound. "It Ralph really well. Because when it new levels of high grip, low rolling would not have been possible to op- comes to deep, muddy terrain where resistance and durability. At the same timize these three features with just the tendency is for to spin, time the tire is remarkably light due one rubber mixture", explained Hach- "knobby" Nic intervenes and bites to its innovative, weight-saving cons- meyer (see interview on page 5). firmly through thick mud. Nobby truction. Nic is not simply a strange sounding The Schwalbe technicians positio- Flexible carcass lower name; the tire incorporates truly inno- ned the three rubber compounds exac- rolling resistance vative technology. tly where their strengths are needed. The latest addition to the exclu- The center tread uses Off-road Racing Besides its innovative compounds the sive Evolution Line is a world first Compound that is characterized by tire contains other interesting fea-

profile · 2/2005 Technology5

tures: The serrations on the shoulder Rubber compounding – elastic to viscous lugs increase the cornering grip and large gaps between all lugs ensure a good self-cleaning action. The right mixture In addition to the compounds, the rolling resistance is further improved The creation of an optimal rubber formula is a science in pounds are necessary. The three prime by use of the 'reduced thread angle', itself. Nobby Nic, Schwalbe’s new MTB competition tire, attributes for Nobby Nic were – rolling Evolution carcass. While almost all is the first ever to have a triple compound. Why Schwalbe resistance, grip and durability. But standard carcass designs have thread developed this three-fold combination and why each that meant we needed three rubber angles which form diamond patterns, mixture is a compromise between rolling resistance and mixtures and they each had to be in a in Evolution tires they form squares. grip, was explained in an interview with former MTB specific place, in total four different These squares make the carcass much World Cup rider and Schwalbe tire developer Markus tread areas - center, both shoulders more flexible which results in a far Hachmeyer. and a base layer. This could only be greater volume of surface contact. achieved by using the ultramodern The consequences are: Improved As clearly demonstrated in Formula 1: manufacturing process made possible absorption as well as more grip and Why is it so difficult to find the opti- by a Triplex extruder. road holding. "This flexible carcass re- mum tire compound? Why can’t a Dual Compound also op- duces rolling resistance by approxima- Every rubber mixture consists of natu- timize different characteristics? tely ten per cent", something that Mar- ral or , carbon or silica, kus Hachmeyer has proved in tests. waxes, oils and additives. The vulca- nization process - heating to 170 degrees Nobby Nic front, at approximately 16 pressure – ma- Racing Ralph rear kes viscose rubber elastic. Exactly how flexible it is, will be determined by the In mixed terrain riding conditions additives. Each rubber mixture has cha- pairing Nobby Nic with Racing Ralph racteristics on one hand viscous and on can form an unbeatable combination. the other flexible, pliable and elastic. Racing Ralph’s strength is on the rear Gooey, viscous mixtures have more grip wheel where rolling resistance is of and can almost ‘stick’ to the road, while particular importance as 60 to 70 per extremely elastic mixtures have very cent of the load is there. low rolling resistance. The respective re- Nobby Nic is exactly the right lationship between the two characteri- choice for the front wheel where the stics can therefore be co-ordinated and tire should grip well, have good trac- controlled for its particular target appli- "In order to op- With Dual Compound only two charac- tion for braking and cornering, espe- cation. Each rubber mixture is therefore timize three teristics can be optimized. This double cially in softer conditions. Nobby Nic a compromise between grip and rolling characteristics compound can consist of two rubber comes in 1.8, 2.1, 2.25 and 2.4 widths resistance. at the same mixtures lying on top of each other; a (weights: 410, 495, 570, 635 grams) Why does a tire need a triple com- time, three combination we used for the first time and the three narrow widths are al- pound? compounds in 2003 on Racing Ralph MTB tires. so available in UST. Cross Country to In order to optimize different and op- are needed", However, we have been using a Dual light Freeride are the purposes for posing characteristics at the same explained Compound with the two rubber mixtu- which the tire is best suited. time in a single tire, several com- Markus Hach- res lying next to each other in our Stel- meyer. vio professional racing cycle tire since 1999." Triple Compound How is Nobby Nic’s triple compound tread made up? The flexible Qualifier Compound is used as a sub-layer, or base compound as it has very low rolling resistance, but - and here is the compromise – little grip. However, this disadvantage has no effect, because this compound does not come into direct contact with the road. Over it, in the center of the tread, lies a layer of durable Off-road Racing Compound, because this is where the tread needs to be strongest. In addition this rubber mixture provides extraordi- nary traction under propulsion as well as good braking grip. Maximum Grip Compound is used on the tire's outer shoulders which come into play when the bike is in- The extremely easy Durable Off-road Maximum Grip clined during cornering – particularly rolling, flexible Quali- Racing Compound in Compound on the important in wet conditions – ensu- fier Compound under the tread center pro- shoulder lugs offers ring very good grip. This compound is the tread yields low vides traction under unsurpassed grip, used for example in the Stelvio Rain rolling resistance. propulsion as well as particularly in wet and offers unsurpassed wet grip and good braking grip. conditions. with its rather gooey characteristics it adapts very well to unevenness.

profile · 2/2005 6Technology

World first: Black tire no skid marks Black is the new grey

Increasingly tires are being sold by independent bicycle dealers. Now there is a world first for all active wheelchair users – and con- sequently for specialist dealers a real turnover generator with a good mar- gin: The Marathon Plus Evolution from Schwalbe is the world’s first black wheelchair tire that does not leave black skid marks and in addi- tion it is also ‘flat-less’.

"The Marathon Plus Evolution is an ideal product for dealers who do not already have wheelchair tires in their store, as it appeals to such a broad group of consumers", explained Frank Bohle, Managing director of Ralf Bohle GmbH, Germany. The fact is that many wheelchair users have waited a long time for a sporty black tire, which does not leave skid marks and thanks to a special silica tread compound this is now possible. Moreover: The com- pound is far more abrasion resistant Bohle has developed tires for active wheelchair users who often find that buying tires from than a grey compound, as tests in the specialized bicycle dealers is a better alternative. Photo: Xsampl Schwalbe laboratory have proven. The outer side wall of the tire is perfect- Schwalbe has been manufacturing "With this Marathon ly smooth and the tread has also been wheelchair tires now for over 25 years we have fulfilled the smoothed off, so that the hand glides and the recent developments of 2Grip aspiration of many gently past. The inner part features an technology and the Marathon Plus Evo- wheelchair users for a appropriate tread, designed for optimal lution confirm its status as a leading in- sporty, good looking, grip and with which the hand does not novator in the industry. More recently, black tire that can be come into contact. Consequently the since 2004, the company has become used both indoors and tire grips well – and the user has a per- involved with and sponsored several in sports halls", said fect grasp on the situation. For those disabled sports and numerous disabled Frank Bohle. The prod- people who do not like black tires, but athletes. As an example the German uct is also very trendy as black tires Many wheel- who want the peace of mind afforded paralympic cycle racing team used on simply look so much chair users pre- by SmartGuard puncture protection, Schwalbe Stelvio professional racing sportier than grey tires. fer black tires for they can opt for the grey version of the tires that are also ridden successfully their sporty 2Grip, Marathon Plus. by the Pro Tour team Gerolsteiner. ‘Flat-less’ and looks. hand-friendly. ews The Marathon Plus Evolution also has N another unbeatable characteristic: It is ‘flat-less’. Exactly like the popular Smover with Timo Pritzel Edition Marathon Plus bicycle tire, the usual Schwalbe Schwalbe have developed the Table Top, tire destroyers cannot penetrate the high end folding tire together with Timo SmartGuard belt that can handle Schwalbe has a special tire for 's Pritzel, the world renowned German even a heap of broken glass. "As a Smover concept. The 50 millimeter wide Mountainbike Freestyler. The tire has result the Marathon Plus Evolu- balloon tires effectively assist the auto- been designed with both "Dirt" and tion combines the advantages matic suspension and make the Smover "4Cross" - competitions in mind, events of a pneumatic tire with the even more comfortable. That is because for which the 27 year old Berliner is puncture protection normally the broad, folding tires absorb the high famed. The tire is available in sizes 24 associated with a solid tire", frequency bumps encountered in every- and 26 inch; width 2.25 inch. Weighing explained Frank Bohle. day cycling much better than frame sus- just 560 and 590 gram respectively the In addition it is also hand- pension. Its silver side wall and graphics tires are the lightest on the market for friendly: The Marathon Plus have been colour co-ordinated with Shi- these specialist disciplines. Its block features 2Grip technology. The Marahon mano components and Shimano develo- tread has been created to grip well in dry The five tire models that Plus Evolution ped a new fork specially in order to crea- and loose terrain; perfect for usual BMX share 2Grip technology all with smooth te sufficient clearance for the volumi- course conditions. The "Timo Pritzel Sig- have asymmetrical treads. outer side. nous tire. nature Series" will be available in 2006.

profile · 2/2005 Schwalbe international7 Stelvio won UK: Award for on Stelvio Racing Ralph

Team Selle Italia Colombia, sponsor- In Great Britain, Racing Ralph has ed by Schwalbe, exceeded all expec- won the much coveted WhatMoun- tations in this year's Giro d'Italia. tainBike “Gold Award” along with José Rujano was third overall and the WhatMountainBike “Best Choice”. won the 'King of the Mountains' The test report was glowing with Green Jersey. Team-mate Ivan Parra praise: “Schwalbe’s Racing Ralph real- won the toughest stage and in doing ly caused a commotion among the so conquered the 2,758 meter high speed fiends last year. Not only is it alpine pass – Stelvio, from which the crazy light, but it grips! Not just on tire took its name. The team's suc- dusty, dry stuff either. Somehow it cess has to be ranked even more high- manages to hang on through rough ly, as it was one of just two wildcard terrain, intermediate muck and even entries available. Schwalbe has spon- churning through deep gloop as well sored the Italian racing team since as much knobblier tires. It also clears 1996. Ivan Parra won the stage at the stelvio. His tires: super quick, so any dry or rocky sec- It has become almost traditional "Stelvio" by Schwalbe. Photo: Foto-Roth tions mean instant acceleration – now for riders of Stelvio tires to win in fact, we ran a Ralph on the rear the Giro d'Italia 'King of the Moun- an Wegman became the first ever Ger- for most of the winter, when speed tains jersey. This year José Rujano man rider to win it; and in 2003 Selle wasn’t an issue. Lack of overhanging won the green jersey by a healthy Italia - Columbia's Freddy Gonzalez tread means that you really have to margin; last year Gerolsteiner's Fabi- won the accolade. crank it over aggressively to rip around the turns but in a straight line it’s ut- terly phenomenal.” The overall ver- dict by the testers was; Performance 29,000 kilometers on Marathon XR 10/10 Value 9/10. A second test later in the year by the same magazine Intrepid cyclist Steven Strange from goes on to say “born to race, Schwal- Newton Abbot, Great Britain, and an- be’s Ralph is still our favorite summer other like-minded cyclist both set off tread.” in 2004 to take the Guinness Book of Records title: ‘Fastest Circumnaviga- tion of the Globe on a Predetermined Recumbent bikes Route by Bicycle’. They both complet- ed the trip some months ago and alt- in North America hough it was a close run battle with his rival, Steven was eventually pro- More and more cyclists in North Ame- nounced the winner. The 39 year old rica are choosing a . reports that he not only used the same “We sell a significant number of re- set of the Marathon XR tires through- cumbent bike tires each year and the out the entire trip, but he is also still Marathon 20” has become the tire for riding on them to this day: That is af- Fastest round-the-world cyclist: Steve the recumbent industry”, says Celeste ter over 29,000 kilometers. Strange rode on Marathon XR. Steindl-Moser from Schwalbe North America. Schwalbe tires are on many bike brands, such as Bachetta, Rans, Burley, Easy Racers, AeroSpoke, Bike- British wheelchair racer on Schwalbe Friday and CaTrike. Recumbent bikes make up about five to seven percent Da-Vinci Mobility, makers of light- of the bike industry and this category weight, bespoke machines. He has is strong and growing. Steindl conti- been involved with wheelchair rac- nues: The popularity of recumbent ing since 1991, has notched up many bikes comes from the comfort aspect. successes along the way and, after For those who have skeletal problems changing to “marathon” type events, or muscle structure problems, the re- Richie has never been out of the top cumbent bike offers a comfortable, ten finishers in the much respected fast, and fun riding experience.” Each London Marathon. He currently uses year thousands of riders converge on Stelvio Light (700C) on the rear wheels events such as the winter rides in Flo- and Stelvio (20”) on the front, but ha- rida, the Mid West Recumbent Rally in ving been selected to represent Great Wisconsin, and many more through- Britain in the 2006 Commonwealth out the USA and Canada. Wheelchair athlete Richie Powell from Schwalbe UK Games to be held in Australia, Ritchie South Wales (Great Britain) has be- sponsors will be changing up to Stelvio tubu- come the first such racer to be spon- wheelchair lars on his new hi-tech chair that Da- sored by Bohle UK. Richie, aged 34, athlete Ritchie Vinci will build especially for the oc- works as a part-time salesman for Powell. casion.

profile · 2/2005 8Market Schwalbe riders' successes Stelvio at the Tour de France A stage-win for George Totschnig in support for the first time, is naturally the Tour de France, Levi Leipheimer pleased with the successes and media placed sixth over all: In 2005 the Ger- attention generated. man team Gerolsteiner rode to its Melting asphalt in the Pyrenees, ex- most successful season by far on treme gradients and heat: The Tour de Schwalbe Stelvio. France demands not only the utmost from riders, but also of materials. Tire So tense was George Totschnig ap- sponsor Schwalbe provided Race Sup- praoching his first stage win that he port to riders in the Tour de France forgot to zip up his shirt during the and all important Pro Tour races. Two final few meters. "I hadn't noticed Schwalbe technicians – both experien- whether my lead was ten or 30 se- ced cycle racing professionals – were conds. I only knew that the chasers on hand throughout the races to offer were too close for comfort." But they Gerolsteiner recommendations on tire did not catch him. The 34 year old Aus- selection for prevailing conditions. trian won his first Tour de France stage "The Gerolsteiner mechanics were after a magnificent solo performance appreciative that we relieved them of in the Pyrenees - for him and his team almost all the tire work", said Lars Teu- it was their most visible success. tenberg, Schwalbe Race Support tech- Team Gerolsteiner certainly made nician. The riders were particularly an impression in the Tour peloton. Fur- happy with the grip of Stelvio Rain Tu- ther successes: Levi Leipheimer placed bulars during the wet Team Time Trial sixth over all. A second stage place for and that they suffered only four flats during the entire Tour. The rationale behind offering Race Peter Wrolich, a third place for Robert Stage win: Georg Support was the broadening of the Foerster in the final stage at Nancy and Totschnig cele- product range: As a dedicated maker – for one day – the 'King of the Moun- brates his victory Schwalbe offers both tubular and fold- tains' jersey for Fabian Wegmann. on Schwalbe. ing tires in several widths and in diffe- Tire sponsor Schwalbe, that this rent compounds suitable for various year provided accompanying race courses and weather conditions.

Gerolsteiner's Robert Förster at Trans-Alp Fragment Schwalbe Race Support. Photos: Foto-Roth

events

3.8. – 3.11.2006 Taipei International Cycle Show www.taipeitradeshows.com

4.6. – 4.9.2006 Sea Otter Classics www.seaotterclassics.com Monterrey, California, USA

4.9.2006 Paris – Roubaix

Not even the Tour de France has seven mountain stages. Nevertheless, Masthead more than one thousand riders tackled the third Jeantex-Tour-Transalp. Editor: Ralf Bohle GmbH, Otto-Hahn-Str. 1, 51580 Reichshof-Wehnrath, Among them was Holger Jahn, 44, Ralf Bohle GmbH’s joint managing di- Germany, Tel. +49 (22 65) 10 90, Fax +49 (22 65) 70 22 rector. He described his impressions of the “fantastic landscapes, some of E-Mail: [email protected], Internet: www.schwalbe.com the highest alpine passes, among them the Stelvio and in addition routes Publisher: Vincentz Kundenmedien, Postfach 6247, 30062 Hannover, through unlit tunnels, snow and cold weather”. But when a beautiful Germany, Tel. +49 (5 11) 99 10-315, Fax +49 (5 11) 99 10-309 alpine vista opened to reveal the distant and ultimate goal of Riva del Editorial staff: Claudia Müller (responsible) Layout: Angelika Hanke Garda along with hundreds of spectators lining the road, the weariness Impression: BWH Buchdruckwerkstätten Hannover GmbH was promptly forgotten and the “never again” thoughts changed into © Vincentz Network GmbH & Co. KG “perhaps one more time”.

profile · 2/2005