Ralf Medloff's Portrait

Team Role/Title: Technic Director /Head Mechanic

City and Country of Birth: Berlin (East)/Germany

Currently reside: Corte Madera/California

Ralf was born on May 22nd, 1974 in East Berlin/Germany. Growing up there was a bit different then the life he is enjoying now in Marin. After his whole school education in the East German system he got the chance to go to Munich and study Mechanical Engineering. As a former Track Cyclist he tried to make his way on to road racing, which was a short-lived dream. Knowing that he can make his way in the sport of cycling being “on the other side”, he didn’t look back and started to work for shops and teams as mechanic.

At that time he moves to America, in California. The San Francisco Bay area had so much to offer and he started over again to work with teams and in the cycling world.

After a couple years with smaller teams he took a fulltime position with the Jelly Belly Pro Cycling team and stayed with them for the last 6 years. He is very fortunate and thankful for the opportunities he got to make his passion for cycling in to a great career. Like they always say: “Follow your heart and the success will come”. He is living on that dream and is looking forward to finally support the women side with his knowledge and expertise.

What does the word Empowerment mean to you?

Giving somebody the unconditional support to boost their competence and believe in their strength so they can accomplish their dreams and goals. Empowerment for me is giving them the trust to unfold their full potential in the way they need it. For every individual in their own way.

What are you looking forward to working with Canadian female athletes?

To give them a platform in their own home (country) so they can thrive and grow in a comfortable, close to home, environment.

What do you see as the most difficult challenge of working for a new professional canadian women’s team?

To provide a stabile, longterm financial platform with caring sponsors for them (not only in North America, Globally).

What are your vision for the team and its athletes?

To build a team which has the confidence and acceptance to perform comfortable on the world stage with the experience of the established riders and the chance to grow for younger, developing riders within the team. For the athletes that they get the chance to perform with the best from europe and can grow on there potential. To give them the chance to stay in their home environment and didn't have to leave for europe just to become one of the best athletes in the world.

SHE Cycling has a strong focus on empowerment. What sets this team apart in terms of development?

Giving every member of the team their own chance to build a professional career with the support structure behind. To give them the feel that they will have everything they need in any way to get their professional job done. Giving everybody the same opportunities, doesn't matter where they come from, what they believe in. Everybody has the same equal chance to achieve their dream and should always get chance to go out and achieve there goals. More experienced riders help to give and teach their experience to the younger to become better and lift the overall team to bigger success.

If you weren't a Technic Director where would you see yourself?

Being a mental coach for the athletes. Races are most decided in our heads, not just riding or racing the bike. Preparation is 50% of the success. Believing in ourselves is another huge percentage and is often forgotten as part of coaching. Through my long years of working with athletes on the technical side and being around them before and after the races, taught me a lot regarding mental work and preparation. Also being a "technical" coach, improving the skill level of the athlete and the understanding of the race dynamics is a huge part I'm looking forward to give to athletes.

Tell us something that people would not know about you

People know me from cycling. Everything started with a totally different sport I enjoyed and learned a lot from regarding empowerment and social viewing the society: Ballroom dancing. To be in a sport like that needs a lot of courage when you grow through your teenage years. It helped me a lot to respect people a their believes, way of live, acceptance to be "different". I don't see any "difference", just another way to be happy with your life and all the things around you.

Your favorite things to do when you are in Canada?

The most I love on Canada is Quebec and the eastern part. The people in Quebec have a wonderful european way of living, something I missed a long time when coming to America. I found a special place on the North American continent and to enjoy and spending time there with my partner (who is from there) makes me happy and fulfilled.

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