13 November, 2019

Merci beaucoup VITAL CONCEPT – B&B HOTELS!

Performance racing is part of Orbea’s history. True to our roots, our collaboration with Vital Concept — B&B Hotels has hit a pivotal point in our development.

Our co-op values shape our relationships with partners and teams, and our collaboration with VITAL CONCEPT – B&B HOTELS is no exception. We share the same connection to our roots: Orbea is committed to Basque cycling, as much as the club represents Breton’s boundless passion for this sport. Together, we are undeniably united by the honor of representing the two greatest cycling regions in Europe.

The creation of a Continental Pro cycling team was an uncertain challenge that we faced together. In 2018, the VITAL CONCEPT CYCLING CLUB emerged on the profesional circuit, under the direction of former cyclist Jérôme Pineau and championed by Bryan Coquard. The project consistently demonstrated the power of our Orca Aero during critical sprints and coming out ahead in both classics and stage races.

TECHNOLOGY AND FEEDBACK

We’ve invested heavily into the team’s development, relying on the riders’ feedback to help us respond to the demands of competition, where bikes are pushed to their highest limits in every race. This joint effort has resulted in innovations in our Orca OMR, Orca Aero and Ordu bikes, the stars of our shared history.

We’ve worked intensely on customizing these models, which is a very important aspect for the team’s identity. Our MyO platform contributes to refining the aesthetics of our bikes. Working with our in-house innovation team, we have been able to provide the best material posible for the Men in Glaz.

GOING FOR IT

The debut season was marked by eight key victories. The team shone all season long, from the Tour of Oman to the Tour of Limousin, passing through the Tour of Belgium along the way.

In 2019, the VITAL CONCEPT – B&B HOTELS team grew with the addition of Pierre Rolland, who contributed brilliant victories with two stage wins in the Tour de France and one in Giro, and strong racers like Arthur Vichot, two-time French champion and a front runner in one-day races.

It was precisely in the Classics where the club really stood out. Jerome Pineau’s men consistently gave their best at some of the toughest World Tour races, like Paris-Roubaix, the Tour of Lombardy, Flanders and the Bretagne Classic. The Men in Glaz showed their power of attack in such prestigious stage races as the Paris-Nice and the Dauphiné.

VITAL CONCEPT – B&B HOTELS matched these performances by claiming a total of 13 victories in the wake of Bryan Coquard, the author of eight wins this year, including Estrella de Bessèges, Circuit de la Sarthe and Tour de Belgium.In total, the team raked up 21 wins and more than 50 top ten places over the course of two seasons.

In short, our relationship with VITAL CONCEPT – B&B HOTELS will be forever etched in our memory. It’s been an intense history. We’ve shared far more with the club than just kilometers, races and bibs: we’ve share values, passion, technology and the pursuit of knowledge. We’ve grown together, and for that we’re grateful. We wish you every success in the future!

Thank you for accompanying us on this adventure.

Mercibeaucoup, VITAL CONCEPT – B&B HOTELS!

Eskerrik asko!