The brothers Lukas and Martin Meiler from Oberammergau will drive for different racing teams next season.
But it is not Lukas who is leaving Team Vorarlberg.
Oberammergau -
"It's going to be funny," says Martin Meiler.
In the past few weeks and months, the two Meiler brothers, Lukas (27) and Martin (24), have talked a lot about their future.
They discussed, they exchanged ideas, they weighed up the advantages and disadvantages.
The result: they go their separate ways from now on.
But Team Vorarlberg is not leaving Lukas, who had toyed with the idea of joining a Pro Continental or even World Tour team, but Martin.
Different team, same country, same league
This ends for the time being the long common ascent of the two Oberammergauers up to the echelons of professional cycling.
Martin, three years his junior, repeatedly followed his brother's steps.
"We have the same background." In 2015 Lukas joined the Austrian team Vorarlberg, a year later Martin.
He ends this chapter and starts a new one.
He can already reveal this much: He stays in the neighboring country, changes within the Continental League.
The time for the change had simply come, it had to be now.”
Martin Meier
But why actually?
Martin simply no longer saw the necessary development potential for the Vorarlbergers.
When planning the race calendar, the Austrians focus more on difficult tours and less on sprints or the classics.
"That doesn't really match my profile," emphasizes Martin.
It became clear again in the 2022 season.
The sprinter only got a few chances to prove his potential.
And sometimes he couldn't even use it.
A corona infection put him out of action for a long time.
“I wasn't able to train for three weeks, and I wasn't able to reach my maximum for three to four months.” He contracted the disease in the spring and when he was completely fit again, the final spurt of the season was almost upon us.
A used year.
The thought matured more and more that he needed a change.
Competitors and yet no competitors
Brother Lukas was involved in the decision-making process and can understand Martin's step.
"From now on we are competitors," says Martin with a smile.
Although that's not entirely true.
The brothers have never ridden the identical program, as Lukas prefers the difficult tours and the steep climbs.
That makes the breakup easier.
"It would be more difficult if we were really dueling on the track."
Lukas Meiler misses the leap up
And they won't have to get along completely without each other.
At home in Oberammergau they will see each other again and again, also at one or the other race.
Both are currently in Mallorca together, preparing for the coming season on their own.
While she holds a lot of new territory for Martin, everything remains unchanged for Lukas.
Despite a strong 2022 season, he was not granted the opportunity to make it into the second or even first division of cycling.
Although he had good discussions with some Pro Continental and World Tour teams, he kept hearing the same answers: The squad is already full, other types of drivers are being sought.
"I was just too late and I'm just too small in the scene," admits Lukas.
Cancellations as motivation for the next season
Of course, disappointment prevailed afterwards, but he didn't throw in the towel because of that.
"I haven't gotten to the point of quitting yet.
My curve is still pointing upwards.” On the contrary, Lukas has gained further courage.
Because quite a few teams have already expressed interest and want to deal with him again next season.
Lukas is already working towards this point in time.
He wants to be in top form in the spring and recommend himself to the higher-class teams with strong results.
Because they already put together their squad for the next year at the beginning of the season.
He is also considering hiring a manager for talks and negotiations with the racing teams in the future.
Because Lukas noticed this year: "I just don't have the experience on this point."
Lukas Meiler takes on a leadership role in Team Vorarlberg
But the year 2022 will also have positive effects for Lukas.
"I'll be given one of the leadership roles." Team Vorarlberg is in a state of upheaval, with former captain Alexis Guerin leaving the Austrians.
He has made the leap and will be driving for a Pro Continental team in the future.
This gives the Oberammergauer the chance to prove his leadership qualities in 2023.
So that his big dream can come true for him next year.