1 December, 2025
Orbea Gravel Rioja Alavesa. A Shared Effort
There’s something deeply human in the way Orbea understands cycling. Teamwork, independence and a determined will to endure are part of our values.
Many people might not know that those who make up Orbea are also the owners of the company.
By the late 1960s, difficult circumstances threatened to close Orbea, then a traditional corporation. To save their factory, the workers made a bold decision: to take the lead and turn it into a cooperative. The staff became the owners of the project.
This model, which still defines us today, does not just change contracts, it changes mindsets. The sovereignty of work, wage solidarity, having a voice, a vote and a share in the company’s success: all these feed a daily commitment to quality and the continuity of our craft. That courageous decision shaped a way of working that continues to set Orbea apart in the cycling industry.
That spirit runs through everything we do and could be seen at Orbea Gravel Rioja Alavesa a few weeks ago. The Orbea team gave their all, beyond the technical and logistical. Amid the buzz of the tents and the metallic gleam of the frames, you could see the people of Orbea—engineers, assemblers, managers, logistics coordinators—moving among the participants with the ease and warmth of good hosts. From planning to feed zones, helping and cheering, our volunteers once again put their hearts into making the event possible. The weekend in Rioja Alavesa has become an annual excuse to enjoy time together.
That essence has carried Orbea through its growth and partnerships, such as the one we formed two years ago with the Lotto Cycling Team. It wasn’t a cold negotiation, but rather the recognition of a shared identity between two teams of people. Perhaps that’s why the Lotto family always responds to invitations like this one a few weekends ago.
Karel Van Eetvelt, CEO of the Belgian lottery (Lotto), attended with his wife Kristien and their son Viktor. Karel was both surprised and inspired by the atmosphere:
“A lot of people working for Orbea are helping around the event, (…) It’s an idea I must bring to Belgium.”
"Since we started the collaboration with Orbea we found that we had a lot of similarities. A history in cycling and a cooperative way of thinking. It’s nice to bring the DNA of two regions together.”
That Friday before the race, we welcomed Karel and Marc from Lotto, Loes from Captains of Cycling, and Jarno and Kurt (Lotto Cycling rider and sports director). They were all set to take part in Orbea Gravel Rioja Alavesa on Saturday; some did it on Denna, one of our ebikes, others wanted to test themselves on Terra or Terra Race.
But first, we wanted to welcome them to our two homes: Orbea in Mallabia and OQUO in Markina. We showed them where the materials they work with are born—their bikes, their wheels—or how those special anniversary edition bicycles came to life. We listened closely, took note of their experience and felt the anticipation growing for a new season.
That evening we shared dinner, celebrated with Rioja Alavesa wine and woke up in Laguardia ready for a great day.
The event brought together professional and amateur cyclists along a route winding through vineyards and country paths.
Daniel, Orbea’s general manager, was handing out race numbers; Jon, former CEO, was helping once again at the feed zones, where he met Nagore, our financial director. Both chatted with Naia from Customer Service and reunited with Xabi, long-time head of planning. They all share the pride of representing Orbea while they cheered on Iban, of the technical workshop; previously a volunteer and is now on the other side of the tape.
This is a tribute to all the Orbea volunteers who make all of this possible; to those who race and those who help from the sidelines. Their quiet commitment, visible in the simplest gestures, reminds us that the strength of a collective doesn’t only lie in its structure, but in the daily conviction of those who sustain it.
Earning a living matters. And so does staying true to the calling that led us to devote our days to the bicycle. Shared effort multiplies the meaning of the journey.
Gravel Unleashed
Light and responsive, those who chose Terra Race enjoyed speed through the vineyards across the rolling, at times demanding, terrain of Rioja Alavesa. Every detail of this bike can be configured to get maximum speed and precision, whether in big races or in ordinary challenges.
Boundless
Terra is built for going beyond boundaries. Its carrying capacity —multiple mounts and frame storage— makes it ready for any challenge. In the unpredictable weather of late October, when you need to pack a jacket, maybe arm or even leg warmers, many riders were thankful that Terra carried it all for them.