Wednesday 9th August 2017 – Kristijan Koren, an all-rounder currently riding for Cannondale-Drapac, will wear the BAHRAIN MERIDA jersey in 2018.
Kristijan Koren is a 30 years old cyclist from Slovenia who turned professional in 2010 with Liquigas–Doimo. He remained with them for 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 seasons and accomplished some significant results. In 2011 he was 3rd in National Road Championships Time Trial and 6th Overall at Tour of Slovenia. In 2012 he was 3rd overall at Tour of Slovenia and also won 4th Stage in this same race. In 2014 he was second at Gran Premio Bruno Beghelli, 4th overall at Tour of Slovenia and came in top 10 in some other races that same year. From 2015 he is with Cannondale-Drapac. This season he came 8th on National Road Championship Road race and was also on the start list for the 2017 Giro d’Italia.
Brent Copeland, General Manager of team BAHRAIN MERIDA said: “Having Kristijan in the team BAHRAIN MERIDA is something we are very proud to announce. He is an exceptionally experienced rider who completes an area of the team roster which we were not able to fulfill during our first racing season and this makes him an even more important asset to the team, Kristijan is one of the hard working domestiques in the peloton who will bring some of his experience to the classics in Belgium as well as many other races which his eight years as a professional has taught him, we are excited about him joining and welcome him to the team.”
Kristijan Koren is excited to join the new team: “After 8 years of being in similar circles, it is time for a real change. I am really happy to announce joining BAHRAIN MERIDA Team in the next season. I would also like to thank the management of Liquigas Cannondale Team, that introduced me to cycling elite in 2009, and my current team, Cannondale-Drapac. It was a pleasure riding for them but I am also looking forward to new challenges. In BAHRAIN MERIDA I will also be able to speak in my own language since quite a lot of my teammates will be Slovenes. I am also looking forward to working with Vincenzo Nibali again. I was a part of his team when he was 3rd at 2012 Tour de France and now I will be happy to help him achieve new podiums. This time in a different jersey and on a different bike. But first I want to finish this season well for Cannondale-Drapac.”
