Meet Trifonius, the Bicycle Whisperer

As a mechanic in our cycling team, I ventured into the professional cycling world after completing a two-year bicycle mechanic training. My journey began when I accompanied the team to races last year. Initially, I assisted in assembling the bikes, but it wasn't long before I was responsible for assembling all the bikes for the January training camp. My value to the team became evident, and in January, I was brought on board full-time. With 15 years of personal cycling experience, my knowledge of bicycles has expanded significantly.

My role as a mechanic revolves around bicycles and their care. On a race day, my morning starts with inflating the tires, sometimes with slightly higher pressure than needed, which is later adjusted to the correct level. I strategically position the bikes around the team cars before we convoy to the race. Upon arrival at the race location, I set up the bikes on stands and check tire pressure. During the race, I follow in the race car, ready to address issues or provide a spare bike. After the race, I meticulously clean and inspect all the bikes to ensure they're ready for the next day.

Before and after a race, I perform essential tasks to maintain the riders' bikes in peak condition. This includes checking gears, batteries, securely fastening all components, and inspecting the brakes. My collaboration with the riders and staff focuses on meeting their specific needs and requests, including adjustments to bike setups.

During a race, I often face challenges, from crashes and flat tires to mechanical problems. My response is always swift, whether it's troubleshooting or supplying a replacement bike. Regarding technology and tools, I aim for precision when fine-tuning the groupset, checking for updates, and installing lighter components like integrated drop-outs and additional sprint shifters.

There are specific memories of critical moments where I had to act quickly to resolve bike issues, such as the massive crash in Hagenland involving 5 or 6 riders from our team.

Teamwork and communication are invaluable within our team of mechanics and in our collaboration with the riders. Besides our responsibility for the bikes, this forms the core of our work. Spending a full year with the riders and staff truly feels like a close-knit group! When everyone works together seamlessly, this is the team you can go into battle with!

For those aspiring to pursue a career as a mechanic in professional cycling, I would advise having a listening ear and learning from experienced individuals in this world every day. Cycling is a demanding and dynamic environment, where the ability to continue learning and adapting is of immeasurable value.

In addition to my passion for cycling, I'm deeply involved in music. I not only enjoy listening to music but also try my hand at creating my own. Apart from that, I still love cycling and dedicate a lot of time to working on my own bikes. These diverse interests add color to my life and keep me inspired.