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.
The Mechanics Championship is a testament to the hard work and dedication we put into our work every day to provide the very best service to our customers. Winning this title will motivate us to continue to offer the highest quality to our customers, who rightly set the bar very high.
Lieven Laflere, Lieven’s Bikerepair, who will represent Team Belgium, at this inaugural Championship.
A global event
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.
Raising awareness
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 mechanics of the future
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.
