3 September, 2024
Touching the sky in Andorra
Legend has it that at the end of the rainbow is the treasure, and we have found it.
How many times have we stood on the brink of glory, with the summit within reach, but still beyond our grasp? How many times has the summit seemed an unreachable obstacle? Today, those questions are behind us, because the long-deserved and long-sought victory has finally arrived, and it has happened on the grandest of stages: the U23 World Championships. The rainbow jersey, symbol of triumph in mountain biking, is ours.
For those of us who have dreamed of those colors, the melody of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” echoes in our minds. Today, those dreams have come true, and the promise of reaching the unattainable is fulfilled. With Luca Martin and his Orbea Oiz at the helm, we have conquered the sky, touched the rainbow and crowned ourselves at the top of world mountain biking. This is a triumph that transcends victory; it is the culmination of hard work and perseverance, the ascent to the glory that we always knew we were destined for.
But not only Luca Martin tasted success in Andorra. Flo Espiñeira’s debut in the Ebike World Championship has shown us that there is nothing beyond reach, holding on to a bronze medal representing Chile with aside Wild. The eternal smile and positive energy that Flo always transmits flooded the Orbea paddock this week. That Flo is at the top of the Ebike category is not by chance, but the result of tireless sacrifice and dedication.
Another Orbea rider who has forged his legend is Martin Maes. For the Belgian, it’s not the first time he’s faced the DH challenge, but this time he did it with a clear purpose: to conquer the mythical descent from Pic de Cubil. Together with the tireless work of OOLab, they molded an Orbea Wild designed to devour the trails of Andorra. With an indomitable spirit, Maes proved to be a true thoroughbred on the descents, turning every turn and jump into a masterpiece of skill. Martin and the Orbea Wild don’t just dominate the mountain, they make it their kingdom.
For these World Championships, Orbea gathered the forces of the entire staff of the Orbea Factory Team, Orbea Enduro Team and Oolab, merging into an unstoppable team. United by a common goal, they worked tirelessly to ensure that every rider had their machine ready, resolving any unforeseen issues with the necessary precision. But beyond technique and effort, what really shone through was unity and camaraderie, values that are the true heart of Orbea. Together, they demonstrated that when a team unites under the same banner, there is no challenge they cannot conquer.
The end of the season is approaching, both in EDR and XCO, and our riders are feeling the adrenaline pumping. With motivation burning stronger than ever, they are determined to close this season in the most glorious way possible. Every pedal stroke, every jump, every turn will be done with passion as they look to make their mark on history. Their mission is clear: to once again take Orbea’s name to the top of the podium and solidify it as a legend in the world of cycling.
Discover the world champion Oiz
Orbea Oiz has once again demonstrated its greatness by being crowned world champion, an achievement it repeats for the second time in its history. This bike has established itself as the ideal choice for any track, combining perfect design and geometry with unbeatable performance. Always ready to face any challenge, the Oiz not only adapts to the demands of every race, but also stands firm as a symbol of excellence and unwavering fight. In every competition, the Orbea Oiz stands as the perfect machine to conquer glory and maintain its legacy as a champion.