The new Bahrain-Merida cycling team was officially presented on Wednesday, as riders and staff gathered together for the first time at a short camp in Croatia.
Riders stood up one-by-one in a conference room of a hotel on the country's west coast as they were introduced in front of the media – like a couple of days previously when they were made to stand up and introduce themselves to their new colleagues.
Vincenzo Nibali, the team's marquee signing, had to wait his turn after those who came before him in the alphabet – with the exception of the riders signed from Lampre-Merida, who could not attend due to contractual politics.
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The three Merida bikes that will be used next season were unveiled and the team confirmed their attendance – and that of Nibali – at next year's Tour of Croatia, but otherwise there were no big announcements. Rather, it was an opportunity to officialise things and present a set-up that – after months of logistical work and recruitment – finally resembles an elite cycling team.
"What we've put together in a few months has been incredible," said General Manager Brent Copeland, later telling Cyclingnews that, "It's actually pretty emotional to get to this point, where you physically do the presentation.
"You can say, 'Here we are today'. You get so wrapped up in organising everything – it's just months of work – and suddenly you get to today. We've still got a lot to do, but it's a big emotion."
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