Shimano announces European bike mechanic championship

The championship aims to raise awareness of the increasing need for world-class bike mechanics and showcase the best in the business

Shimano is proud to announce the upcoming 2024 European Mechanics Championship, which will take place from October 5 – 7, 2024 in Mechelen, Belgium (BE). This exciting event aims to spotlight bike mechanics' indispensable skills and promote their vital role in the cycling industry.

With an ever-increasing number of bicycles in the market, the growing demand for professional maintenance, and the need for well-trained, highly skilled mechanics has never being higher than before — Shimano is committed to advancing the quality of bike service by showcasing the expertise of mechanics from across Europe in this exciting competition.

Through local qualifiers and selections the best mechanics from 14 countries will come together in Mechelen (Belgium), to compete in a series of timed, technical challenges designed to test their skills and knowledge, while being assessed by a team of qualified experts with years of combined expertise in the technical service of bikes, quality control and product from the local Shimano training center.

Renowned presenter for Eurosport’s road cycling coverage, Orla Chennaoui will host the competition, highlighting the mechanic’s thoughts and insights on the competition through interviews and content shared across Shimano’s channels.

The event aims to raise awareness of the importance of regular, professional bike maintenance and promote the profession as a viable and rewarding career path for those with a technical interest. Through its extensive network of Shimano Service Centers, Shimano is an essential partner within the cycling industry, providing training, high-quality servicing and advice to customers.

Marc van Rooij, President, Shimano Europe, said: “The importance of highly skilled bike mechanics cannot be overstated, which is why Shimano is proud to support the 2024 European Mechanics Championship. This event showcases the exceptional talent and dedication of these unsung heroes; as the cycling industry continues to thrive, we want to inspire the next generation of mechanics and reinforce the vital role they play in ensuring a positive cycling experience for all.”

The championships will emphasize that becoming a bike mechanic is a future-proof career. Increased levels of cycling can play a key role in tackling climate change - reducing air pollution and congestion in cities. Around the world, cities continue to make changes to enable more cycling.

The demand for skilled mechanics will only grow against this backdrop, Shimano’s extensive network of training centers across Europe is at the forefront of providing the necessary education and training to meet this need. We complement this through our online learning platform, S-TEC. Over 20,000 new and current mechanics keep up to date with the latest Shimano products and technologies through a range of creative assets, which facilitate the learning process.

After the event, Shimano will provide a comprehensive overview of the results, including notable highlights, images, and video content on its website.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Embargo: Friday, September 27, 2024, at 09:00 CEST.
2. Participating countries: A full list of countries represented at the championships can be found below:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Brazil (International Guest)
• Czechia
• France
• Germany
• Hungary
• Italy
• Netherlands
• Portugal
• Slovakia
• Spain
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom