From January 1, 2015, STEVENS Bikes is the official bike supplier of the Belgian Cross team BKCP-Powerplus. CEO of STEVENS Bikes, Wolfgang von Hacht, who is excited about this 3-year partnership, explains, "Team BKCP Powerplus is one of the leading cross teams in the world. We are delighted that the team is now riding with our top level cross bike, the STEVENS Super Prestige."

STEVENS Bikes has been strongly associated with cyclocross since 2002. First, as the Crossbikes used to win German national championship titles, then with its own racing team. STEVENS CEO Werner von Hacht explains: "With the increased involvement in the Belgian cyclocross scene – STEVENS already supports the team Corendon-KwadrO – we hope to strengthen our brand outside of Germany, making it more internationally known as top cross bikes. Partnering with BKCP-Powerplus is simply the next logical step in growing internationally with the sport.”

STEVENS Bikes hopes that their increased presence in the Belgian cross scene will increase their brand awareness not only in their strong markets of Belgium and The Netherlands but will also spill over into the rest of the world so that their export customers can benefit as well.

BKCP-Powerplus team and its management have already proven themselves to be a strong partner for STEVENS Bikes as they have already worked together from 2008 to 2011. Through their partnership, two World Champions were created in the form of Niels Albert and Philipp Walsleben.

Leading the charge for the BKCP Team is U23 rider Mathieu van der Poel. This two-time Junior World Champion comes from a long line of cycling greats including grandfather Raymond Poulidor, who was 2nd overall three times in the Tour de France as well as 3rd overall five times. Van der Poel is also the son of former Cyclocross World Champion and Tour de France stage winner Adrie van der Poel. Mathieu currently leads the Superprestige Series overall classification.

The German Cyclocross Champion and former U23 World Champion, Philipp Walsleben, is a staple in the top 10 in almost all races straight through to World Cup level where he recently nailed a podium at Namur World Cup in addition to his 5 other podium placings this season so far. He is currently ranked 6th in the world.

The BKCP-Powerplus team also includes Wietse Bosmans (2012 U23 Belgian champion), Vincent Baestaens, David van der Poel (2013 U23 Netherlands champion) and Lubomír Petruš (former junior Czech Republic and European Junior Champion). Joining Mathieu on the U23 squad is Daan Hoeybergs and Adam Toupalik [2013 & 2014 Junior Czech Republic Champion].

Christoph Roodhooft, team manager of BKCP-Powerplus, adds, "STEVENS is known as a powerful force in cyclocross, and we have always been very satisfied with the bikes and the service of STEVENS in the past. Our riders are pleased to show off their new bikes they get to ride in the remaining races of the season. What we appreciate in our relationship with STEVENS is our mutual cooperation in the technical development of the bikes that was already made based on the feedback of our riders and the subsequent implementation into production. It all fits together very well, and that STEVENS uses almost one hundred percent Shimano components is a bonus as we already equip our team with their parts.”

For multiple Junior World Champion Mathieu van der Poel, a camouflage paint job with the colors of Holland is used. The name "Sniper" on the top tube refers to race tactics this Dutchman has mastered at such a young age. He is very accurate and calculating in choosing just the right moment for his decisive attacks while remaining very calm and controlled on the outside.”

For the remainder of this season, both athletes will use Shimano disc brakes and Dura Ace Di2 components. Volker Dohrmann, STEVENS Brand- and Marketingmanager, explains, "We are delighted to be able to continue with the tradition of making STEVENS signature frames for Philip and Mathieu. That they will ride with discs is also consistent with our company’s focus and direction; since 2010, STEVENS has been working with disc brakes and sales are growing in the disc segment.”

For the next races, STEVENS Bikes wishes the team lots of success – we look forward to a long-term partnership.