Hi Folks,

I’m Angie, 20+ years old. I’m from beautiful Kärnten in Austria, and I’ve been sitting in the bicycle saddle for almost 15 years now. Since our house is on the mountain, it’s almost unavoidable to grow up with a bike under your bum.

When I finished the academy of tourism in Pinzgau I moved back to Kärnten to work as a ski and snowboard teacher. At the time I was also running cross country races, but after a while that started becoming sort of boring, and I started looking for a new challenge … and I found something.

The World Cup in Kaprun in 2003 was the changing point. There I found a sponsor who made it possible for me to start my second career (team bikeman). Soon afterwards I moved to the idyllic Sauerland in Germany to start my downhill “career”. In 2004 and 2005 I entered into national and international competitions. In the beginning I mainly took part in downhill runs, but after a while I participated in more and more 4X & Freeride competitions. My highlights include the 4X State Championship 2008 and 4^th Place in the 4X Worldcup in Schladming, also in 2008.

In the spring and summer I travel a lot, from national competitions in Austria and Germany to World Cups in the rest of Europe (Slovenia, Scotland…), and sometimes even Canada, where I meet with sponsors like NORCO and also participate in some events. During the off-season, though, I am always drawn back home to Kärnten where I help my father in the office of his tire shop to make some money for the next bike season.

Maloja … I can remember exactly the first time I saw the giant igloo at the Eurobike about five years ago. From then on I was a fan of the collection and their style, and it only got better over the years. I love being in nature, enjoy the quiet, the mountains, lakes and rivers. And I’m fascinated by the change of seasons, there’s always something new to discover … and that fascinates me about maloja, too. They are not only sponsors, they are FRIENDS with whom I “experience” sport.

I’m really excited about the upcoming season 2011! Bye,

Angie

Hey, I'm Arne,

I'm 27 and I live in an old farmhouse in the Allgäu. Biking has been my favourite sports since I was a kid. Since our father has always been a passionate motocrossrider my brother Guido and I were practically born with an eye on two-wheelers. So I became acquainted with BMX riding pretty early, and ran my first race when I was five. Later I switched to 4X, and because I liked it so much it stuck on me. As soon as I owned some property of my own I started to shape a dirt line around my house. My training path is now literally in front of my doorstep and I can work for the next season when I've planned to give it all I've got. It's groovy to be sponsored by Maloja, it's even more fun to ride in these cool outfits. See your around, Arne

Hello there you all!

I’m Racing Bike Benschi, 21 years old. I’m a student and I come from Hochstätt, just 13 km north of Rosenheim in Bavaria.

Until 2005 I was more or less successful with my racing bike on racing tracks, but it was only after I met track-pro and maloja team rider “GRASI” that I started going uphill. After one of my races he commented to me that I was doing just about everything wrong that you possibly can, both for training and in the races – but, in the end, I somehow manage to be pretty good. In other words, he thought I might have some potential if I tried.

So he really inspired me to make a change. In 2008 I joined the Irschenberg cycling club (RSV-Irschenberg) and since then I’ve been training together with Grasi. He’s shown me how to ride a racing bike fast and hard and have a lot of fun in the process. So, at this point, allow me to say THANK YOU Christian ;o))

Well, in my first season my hard training proved effective and I had some success. In the meantime 4 years have gone by in which I kept on growing, road quite a few competitions and won some races. Next to several victories in criterium races my second and third places in stages of the UCI 2.2. Azarbaijan Tour and the Silver Medal in the German Track Race Championships 2010 in Cottbus are certainly my highlights so far. But I’m still pursuing my great goal, to make it to the professional six day race. With 4 six-day starts in Cremona (Italy), Munich, Bremen and Berlin I have at least come closer to my goal. More six day races are soon to follow and I’m highly motivated by my current team, the Rudy Project Racing Team, to tackle the challenge.

It’s evident that you need discipline and a healthy measure of determination to get ahead in bike sports. But personally I’ve also learned that you need ease and calm to be successful, too. The combination of focused, self-guided thinking and action together with calm and lightness is what maloja means to me.

That’s why I’m proud to be a part of them. 

Bye folks,

Benschi

Hello,

I’m Boris, 21 years old and live in Mödling (near Vienna), and in Schladming.

I’ve been an enthusiastic cycler since I was two. I made my first down-hill experiences when I was 12, on the Plani track, and since then this discipline has me hooked.When I was 14 I got my first DH-Bike and participated in my first races. Meanwhile you can see me in all the World Cup races, iXs-Cups and of course the national races in Austria.To me downhill is a combination of speed, balance, concentration, skill and taking the risk. And these are exactly the factors that fascinate me.

Downhill sports is just as fantastic as MALOJA! The philosophy of this company is unique, just like the styles that I love to wear and suit me perfectly!

Keep your fingers crossed for the downhill season!

See you

Hi,

my tires are little more narrow and have less profile, I ride on smooth wood and nice tarmac - but I'm still a Molajon. My name is Christian and I am a professional racing cyclist.

It all started with winter sports for me. I skied, and I only ever was able to buy my first racing bike, because I secretly raided my piggy bank. From then on things went uphill - in the truest sense of the word. I was hooked. To me bike riding is not only success, speed and discipline, it's also fun, travelling, friendships and unbelievable experiences. In 2000 I moved to Irschenberg where I am a co-founder of the Bike Sports Club and the main organiser of the Grand Prix. In 2002 I started participating in the winter professional six-day race. I reach 120 race days in summer, and approx. 35.000 km a year.

Maloja is a philosophy, a way of life that I would like to create in the classical bicycle sports. That's why I am happy to be part of the team.

Bye for now,
Grasi

Hello, hello,

I’m Dana Elena Schweika, 16, and I come from a small town called Loshausen, near Schwalmstadt in Hessen, Germany. In other words, I’m from the country! Sports was always a major part of my family’s interests, I more or less grew up on physical exercise. At age 4 I stood on skis for the first time. I used to concentrate on tennis, swimming and track and field sports. In 2007 a German 4 cross cups was staged in Schwalmstadt, which is now my home course, and as usual I was there to watch my brother and his bike buddies. I admired them!

Not much later I was at the 4 cross track with my brother. It hadn’t been hard for him to persuade me. And on January 1, 2008 I had my own dirt bike ?.

Afer that things moved pretty fast! I started running races, was immediately supported by a club and in 2009 I was on the winner’s podium for the first time. And in 2010 I was already at the starting gate for the World Cup in Houffaslize and Fort William. Bike riding has become my LIFE. In just one day of training you can set so many goals, and one after the other you achieve them… that lifts your mood, your ambition, your fun!

I already applied to maloja last year. Why, what for, how so? Because: when I saw these fantastic clothes, the great people and the cool booth at the Eurobike tradefair I knew straight off that this company was the ultimate must-be-one-of-them for me!
Now I’m finally a member of maloja and I am overjoyed <3!

Your Dana Elena

Well hi there,

I am Daniel and was born in Munich. But half a year later I moved away from there to be in the country - or let's say, may parents moved, because they found it a bit too hectic there (I can relate to that by now).

So, I've been living here in the Chiemgau for 25,5 years, enjoying nature and the remoteness more and more - especially when life in general becomes too stressful. If I can spend my time away from all that stress on my bicycle, combine relaxation and action, then it's perfect for me. That was the reason why, about six years ago, I gave up my job as a communications engineer when I was in La Palma, and decided to turn my hobby into a profession. At the time I was a bike guide on the Canary Island for a year, and I decided to reorient myself, and try out something new, I wanted to make some dreams come true.

Bike riding itself, though, had been a passion of mine early on. I was Bavarian CC Junior Champion in marathon, dual slalom, downhill and freeride, and I participated in 4 Cross Worldcup races, where I admittedly didn't really cut the mustard so much, but I had loads of fun - and that is the only thing that counts for me... besides, you never know what the future will bring - and I haven't given up on my downhill career yet.

Since it's a long way to being a professional I earn my living as a bike technology trainer for the MTB Academy (I enjoy helping other people to be successful). I also work for several magazines and catalogues as a photographer on wheels, and as a bike guide on La Palma with my own company: www.freerideholiday.com

I am honoured to be a part of the Maloja Family now - especially because I really believe in the true values in life. I am looking forward to the future ... and remember: never forget to smile :o)

Ride on

Daniel Schaefer

Hi,

I am Florian Berghammer, 20 years old and life in the south of Munich. When you grow up here, it is close to the cycling to decay. All the fantastic trails along the Isar River, the Alps near - that is the proximity to the bike park and a lot of good Dirtspots moving for me on the bike so I grew up as a young boy at the now-demolished bomb craters in Grünwald, and learned early on what it means to shape trails, and to spend a lot of time in the woods.

Since 2009 I've always competed all over Europe and have had a lot of fun on my bike, no matter whether Dirt Jump, All Mountain, Freeride and Downhill.

I try to be as varied and in each discipline as well as possible!

In spring 2011 I visited the headquarters and was simply overwhelmed by the incredibly relaxed atmosphere and friendly employees. So we chatted a bit and it matched perfect. Shortly thereafter, the season started and I could ride with my new clothes at the start of numerous competitions, shooting for the maloja catalog and enjoy the season to the fullest.

Until now I had probably the finest season ever and I can not wait to next season and be part of the maloja team.

Cheers, Flo

Hi everyone,

My friends call me Flowinger.

Those malojans told me I should write something about myself, so here goes….

I’m at home in the mountains, love the mountains, am always in the mountains, regardless if on foot or on my bicycle, on skis or anything else.

The fact of the matter is I love the mountains and the woods, rivers and lakes, because there aren’t any other places in the world with so much positive energy, that bring so much calm, and give you so much peace of mind and a place to concentrate your thoughts …

I’ve learned to enjoy even the smallest things in nature.

I am a peaceful warrior, who always tries to think positive, and to act and to feel positive. Of course that doesn’t always work, but striving for that, and appreciating small successes make me a more balanced and fulfilled person. Warrior does not mean fighting other people, it means conquering yourself deep inside.

If you’re now convinced I’m a freak, then I’d like to encourage you to sit down in the woods for two days, far away from every city, street, or village and to simply listen to your heart and nature…

"Soul in the woods" is not just a commercial slogan of Maloja.

Soul in the woods exists!

You just have to let it happen…

Your Flowinger

Hey everybody,

my name is Guido and I was born and raised in the very south of German called Allgäu. One could say that I imbibed biking from my infancy. As my father was a passionate Motocrosser, I inevitably spend many weekends with cheering for dad on the race track. It didn't take long until I got my first BMX-Bike. I'm still proud of telling you that my father welded it from an old broken frame. Later on, at the age of seven I started competing at official BMX races.

I did not want to become a professional rider since ever. Hence I absolved an apprenticeship as a plumber. After that I went to the army, convinced to become a helicopter pilot. But then, in 1997when I participated just for fun at the German dual Championships and promptly won – same wise the Garda-Lake night sprint, I decided to develop my talent and started to participate actively in the national and international Championships and the Worldcups.

In 2000 I officially became a professional. Today I race in Downhill and Freeride but mainly in Bike-Cross. My biggest achievements are the victory at the 4Cross Worldcup in Fort William, the 3rd and 4th place in the Worldcup-Overall, the 11th place at the Red Bull Rampage and my recent bronze medals at the European Championships in Stollberg and the World Championships in New Zealand.

Besides the MTB-Sport, I'm devoted to my fervour – the designing and shaping of MTB tracks. Under a bridge, near Wangen/Allgäu I dug and shaped my own racetrack. The bridge gives me the opportunity to train even by rain- and snowfall. Two years ago I had the wish to offer the same possibilities to passionate Bikers which do not have the means to build their own tracks. The "Backyarddigger-Tour" was born and is since than successfully organised by Red Bull.

Since the beginning I'm a child of the Maloja family. The attitude and the friendship that link me to this brand and to the people that stay behind means very much to me and I hope that this "soul" accompanies me still for many years.

Remain true to yourself and live every day as if it would be your last..

Racing is life – Your Guido Tschugg ....

to Guido's homepage

Hello,

I'm Korbi, I'm from Siegsdorf in the Chiemgau and I am a passionate cross country skier and biathlete. I interrupted my school career after the tenth grade, because I wanted to have time to train for my sports more effectively. The result is that now I'm catching up on the "fun" in evening classes to get my degree ;o))).

I've been running cross-country as long as I can remember - I only later became a biathlete. After lots of really strenuous years of commitment, I've turned into a sort of "freerider" in competition sports. I race where I want to and where the people involved are good to be with. What counts to me is the snow, and I don't like it when people boss me or tell me what to do.

What I like best about biathlon is the combination of dynamic and extremely precise movements. If you fail to concentrate you can't run, and you especially cannot shoot. This way of living, where I am free from unwanted influences in my thinking and actions is what inspired me in the past years. Even if this appears untypical for cross country skiing or biathlon, it's what counts to me.

That's why I never wish the athletes good luck before a competitions starts, I wish them fun (and 10 degrees below zero).

Your Korbi

Hi there,

I’m Markus Bendler, and I’m from Schwendt in Tyrol. I’m 25 years old.

I live on the north side of the Wilder Kaiser (one of the mountains most rich in history), and that’s probably one of the reasons for my passion for climbing.

When I was 16 I had my first encounter with ice, and after that I changed my involvement in competitions to 100% ice climbing, because this alpine discipline lets me to live out my passion almost without artificial climbing walls. That’s important to me, because I love to be in nature.

I see myself as an allrounder with definite strengths in sport climbing, or ice climbing, to be more specific.

For more than 10 years now I play a role in the ice climbing World Cup scene – in 2006 I won my first World Cup and in 2007 my first World Championship title … meanwhile I’m World Cup Champion and double World Champion. (Yippeee!!!)

Despite the fun I have in competitions a major part of my motivation in winter is first ascents of waterfalls and doing mixed routes.

In the summer I concentrate on rock climbing and try to push myself to my personal limits (regardless of competitions).

When I’m not dangling from a rock or an ice wall I build climbing walls, ride my mountain bike or plough white powder (and sometimes harsh snow) on my skis.

I think it’s cool that – with the help of maloja – I can spiff up the alpine style a little bit, and that I’ve found a partner who commits to sustainability and preserves that big playground, our environment.

Rock’n Roll and see ya!

Markus

Hi, I'm Michi.
 
I was fascinated by the mountains from early childhood, and by the time I was 20 I spent every spare minute mountain-climbing in the Alps with my friends. In the beginning that was sort of complicated, because of the distance. It's a pretty long commute from Northern Bavaria... There was only one solution: a professional re-location to - best of all places - Garmisch Partenkirchen.

In the beginning my mountainbike was just a piece of equipment I used to balance the alpine climbing. But after a really tragic accident in which I lost one of my closest friends in the Andes in Peru, I decided to turn my back on mountain-climbing and focus more on bike-riding. My main interest was always just physical activity in nature, but I soon realised that, under competitive conditions, I had a lot of reserves that I was able to set free. I've been free of injuries for the most part and have participated in several marathons, stage races and, in the past two years, I was also successful in 24h MTB races. The positive emotional feelings are overwhelming, but in all those years, it was always important to me never to lose my eye for nature.

To me Maloja conveys a sense not only of functional clothing to wear for my choice of sports, it also gives me a sense of freedom in connection with belonging to a group of likewise thinking people.

If someone were asked to describe my life, two things would stand out - the desire to be in motion and the spirit of discovery.

On June 7, 1971 the world heard my first cry (for life and freedom?) from a nursing hospital in the town of Besigheim. From here on my feet left tracks around the world.  

My parents travelled extensively with me, so that I got acquainted with foreign countries and cultures pretty early on. We lived in Portugal for six years, and that's where I started BMX-riding. Just like surfers are permanently on the lookout for the best wave, all of us kids were constantly on the go, looking for new hills and trails.

Whether we were talking Portuguese, French or English - it made no difference. The passion for sports brought us together.

I bought my first mountainbike in 1994, and was immediately enthused to discover this new feeling of freedom in nature. A local MTB club that I more or less bumped into by chance on a trail in the woods got me started as a latecomer to cross country and downhill racing. At the time my passion was more for marathons in technically difficult terrain.

Even in those days in the bike scene Peter Räuber was an individual who completely stood up to what he was doing and invested his entire heart and energy for athletes and sports. I am extremely happy that, with Maloja, his life's dream has come true. Maloja to me is passion and respect for biking and nature - these values have become stronger over the years and have made the brand to be something truly special.

I remained a passionate mountainbiker for over ten years, despite my studies and later my work, until, in 2003, a friend introduced me to triathlons.

to Nico's Epic Sport Tours

Griass Eich

I'm Role and I come from the Steiermark, the green heart of the Austrian Alps. Who dedicates himself entirely to cycling, has due to the geographic conditions in our region to decide for the mountainbike. As you have to find a way to come down the mountain once you are at the top, the habitants of the alps develop a passion for the downhill, similar to the chamois and the marmot. As a young boy, full of beans, I had the chance to gain ground with some old-school riders from the region at their little self build bike park. We shaped, trained and had parties together in a wooden cabin in the green. The common time with those friends had a big influence on me and my today's perspective and belief of riding.

My favourite is still the Downhill – but a Freeride in our beautiful mountains just makes us to really happy people.  

Well hello there,


I'm Sepp, 18 years old from Rosenheim in Bavaria. Having successfully finished school in July 2007 I am now on my way to becoming a professional landscape gardener.

In December 2007 I started practising ski mountaineering on a competitive level. You need a lot of endurance and technical skills for both the ascent and the drive down. The object of the competition is to be the first to cross the goal line, and to tackle the mountain as fast as you possibly can. I especially enjoy risky downhill manoeuvres in a dreamlike, winter mountain landscape. If you're reaction is good, and you can adjust your style lightning quick, it's all pure fun.

My friends led me to ski mountaineering as a competition sport. They suggested that I do mountain sports, because of my excellent endurance. It was clear to me that it had to be skiing and climbing, because that's where I have the most potential. I was able to reach a pretty high ranking even in my first contests. Proof for me that I had chosen the right sports discipline.


Since you can only ski-climb from December to April I need to prepare myself during the summer months. I go mountainbiking, running, and climbing.

My successes were only possible, because I had great sponsoring. I would like to thank the Malojans for their excellent co-operation. Thank you!

Take care!
See ya soon

Sepp

Hi,

 
I’m Thomas – one of the youngest members in the maloja family, and from the very first moment I’ve felt good.

In line with the belief that good things come in threes I have three passions: swimming, cycling and running. Triathlons are my passion – nature is my cloud nine. In nature I can live out my zest for action, and reach my limits – heart, what more do you ask? My dream race is not Hawai. I love extreme mountain runs, very steep or fast runs and extreme weather conditions that most people would lock their windows and doors against. Such hard competitions challenge you, you need to show the utmost respect, and they bring athletes to their limits and sometimes beyond. I had a pretty harsh experience of this kind last year in Schliersee: I entered the 22year history of the legendary alpine triathlons as the third athlete to reach the finish line under the two hour mark and won the German Triathlon Championship 2009!

In other regards also my life is similar to an alpine triathlon. It’s fast, goes up high and down again, and again and again there are great views from sunny summits. After having been blessed with success in junior competitions for many years I fell ill with mononucleosis in 2003, spent months in the hospital and had to take a break from sports for a year. In 2008 I suffered from Guillan-Barre syndrome, an inflammation of the spinal nerves that leads to paralysis. But thanks to my good friends I succeeded in fighting my way back, slowly step by step, every time. These experiences also taught me to enjoy life be conscious of every second on earth.

Life is not about realizing your dreams later – now is the time to live your dreams – to the full … you never know what might come next! 

 
Your Thomas

Hi!

I'm Thomas Öhler, born in Austria in 1983.

Inspired by a motorsport enthusiast and rally pilot I started to try out 2- and 4-wheel vehicles real early. After a first start on a pedal tractor, then a tricycle I quickly moved on to a Yamaha PW80 Minicross. The next step was a trail machine at age 10. At the time I had no idea that you could trail on a bicycle, too. When I was 12 I started to fuel my bike career; I started with a 20" bike, but soon switched to 26". And I was successful, too: I achieved a couple victories like European Champion, Vice World Champion, European Cup Champion, 5 x Austrian National Champion and, most recently, Bike Trail World Champion 2008! But more important - biking was always and still is simply fun, more than ever!

I am very happy to be a part of the Maloja Family now, and I hope that I will succeed in planting that wonderful soul-seed of Maloja in Austria   ;-)

Have fun and

ride on! Thomas

http://thomas.oehler.at

Hi my name's Will Evans I'm 26 years old from Cornwall (England), renown for its sun, surf and cornish pasties.

I love all sports, but these days my main focus and passion is for racing mountain bikes. Over the past few years I've established myself on the 4X circuit both nationally and internationally.
Downhill racing has also formed an integral part of my development and the competitive skills that I have acquired.

When not away racing I'm using my Sport Science education and knowledge working with other athletes, building bike tracks or chilling/surfing with friends at the beach back home.

This season my schedule includes racing the British 4x series and European World Cups, traveling to Scotland, Austria and Italy, I can't wait.

Over the past three years of representing Maloja, I get the same response from my friends and fellow competitor's "wow that's cool" which is exactly the reaction that I have when putting on a Maloja garment; unique, exciting and way ahead of the game!

www.willevansmtb.com

Regards,

Will