In February 2016, Propain and Timo Pritzel published a video to announce opening spots on their Proteam, founded in 2015. It didn’t matter which discipline, each rider could apply for one of the spots. The number of applications nearly crashed Propain’s inbox and it proved to be a real challenge for Timo and Propain to narrow its selection from so many amazing riders. In the end, Patrick Schweika and Lukas Schäfer, two dirt jump talents, joined enduro racer Philip Walder, the reigning fourcross world champion Aiko Göhler and freeride legend Timo Pritzel to the Proteam.
As a team manager Timo shares his profound experience in life and competition with his riders, giving them all the support and advice they need, wether it is about nutrition or yoga, dealing with injuries and mental stess, and his ideas about self-marketing.
“For one year now, I have been privileged to turn a hobby into my profession. Since I started with biking at the age of 14 this has always been my biggest dream. I love the sport. It doesn´t matter whether I train new moves on my hardtail, ride my Enduro or pin it with the Downhill bike. I enjoy every contest, every show, and every ride the same. The feeling when you get home after a long day on your bike…it just doesn’t get any better. I am stoked to be part of the Propain Proteam where my teammates love the sport just the same way I do, no matter which discipline, whether it is in the Alpes or in Berlin, we simply enjoy riding our bikes.”
“Since I can remember I have been riding a bike and I seriously can´t imagine doing anything better in the future. My first success, reaching the podium at Vollgas Jam in Zwingenberg, motivates me even more and I am so stoked to be part of the Proteam and to work with Propain.”
“My primary goal is to defend my world champ title in Val di Sole. Besides fourcross, I will race a couple of Downhill and Enduro events. I want to improve my skills on both disciplines as my next goal is to compete at a Downhill World Cup race in 2017/18. I am confident that the Proteam will help me a lot towards reaching this goal.”
“I work as a bike guide and trail builder in Laces. On average, I spend 12 weekends racing all over Europe. I want to compete consistently in the top rankings of national and international Enduro events. The uncomplicated support Propain provides greatly helps when it comes to focusing on my goals!”
The Proteam is meant to support their riders through a great combination of different characters, a friendly team culture and joint goals which help the riders reach new levels. Of equal importance are the professional goals and the need to have fun, the need to represent the team, and to be a positive example for the next generation of bikers.