On the last working day before Christmas, the recess bell rang early at the STEVENS world headquarters in Hamburg, Germany. Stefan Nimke from Schwerin, multiple German champion, world champion, and Olympic champion, inspired the early vacation when he arrived to visit his bike sponsor and get his winter mountain bike checked over.

The aspiring police officer was also looking for vindication after his botched Olympic start in London – the gold medal favorite had to cancel on the day of the race because of a hamstring injury. Never idle, he stays as fit as ever on two wheels.

Nimke brought, not only signed STEVENS wall calendars with photos of the Berlin Six Day Race, but also brought a fantastic surprise.

“Such a long and successful career must finish with something other than a non-start,” said the 34-year-old father. Stefan announced the launch of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Track Cycling Team for the next track season – with young talent and his own comeback!

Sponsors:

STEVENS Bikes and Stadtwerke Schwerin, supporter of the velodrome and the north German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Athletes:

Stefan Nimke (34, reigning world champion in team sprint and the kilometer)

Miriam Welte (26, reigning world champion in team sprint; 2012 worlds silver medalist in the 500m. Welte has a contract with STEVENS 2013 for 500m, team sprint, and sprint disciplines, her contract with Stefan´s team is currently under negotiation).

Tobias Wächter (24, disciplines: sprint and keirin)

Marc Schröder (22, disciplines: keirin, sprint, and team sprint)

More young athletes ride in the Palmberg Track Team, which is also located in Schwerin and receives support from Stefan.

“We are a stronghold of German track cycling, while not on the level of, say, Cottbus, still intending to provide optimum training and development to all the athletes in Schwerin. I will, naturally, share my wisdom and advice with the young people. Positive feelings and friendship are always important, and those thrive in Schwerin as well as on the national team. STEVENS has also signaled it will do more for track racing.”

To make sure the team’s equipment is up-to-date, STEVENS is already working on a special edition of its track racing machine. Technical details of pro track frame were discussed extensively during Nimke’s visit to Hamburg.

STEVENS wishes Stefan Nimke and the track team all the best for the upcoming season, and a good year in 2013. We are pleased to work together with successful and sympathetic athletes like Stefan Nimke.