Orbea Fox Factory Team Heads to the Brazilian World Cups.

With their pre-season events in Spain in the rear view mirror, Orbea Fox Factory Team pack their bags and head to Brasil for the opening rounds of the 2025 UCI Cross Country World Cup.

Araxá played host to the two opening rounds of this year’s World Cups, a place where Simon Andreassen took gold at the second round in 2024.

Conspicuous in her absence in South America would be Rebecca Henderson. Fresh off the back of winning the Australian XCO champion despite suffering an early race crash, she would be sit out these rounds with a fractured shoulder and scaphoid, plus a possible fractured thumb. We send all our love to Rebecca for a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her back between the tape when she is ready.

On the ground in Brazil, this is what the riders and mechanics have been preparing for, the World Cup start line. Where the pressure pot produces unknowns that have to be seized and adapted to in order to achieve the goals set for yourself.

Araxá offers “a complete course” according to Jenn, technical climbs and descents mean bike setup is crucial as well as implementing your race strategy. The Oiz is the tool for this particular job, being lightweight and efficient but also a great platform for technical riding thanks to the suspension platform and modern angles.

The opening round is a frustrating one for the team. Crashes and mechanicals catch our riders out, but all three continued the battle regardless. The fight in our riders is strong. No DNFs here.

Heat is a major factor here in the tropics, and on track, the riders have cooling jackets and plenty of water to throw over themselves. Off track, there is plenty of ice cream being eaten. Plus some race day haircuts.

Pierre had a frustrating start to his World Cup campaign but he’s a seasoned veteran of these races and is determined to change his fortunes at round three.

The team reset again go again a week later in Araxá and the results started to come our way. Simon went back to back 6th places in the short track and top 20 in the full distance, not much to complain about when you’re not feeling 100%.

Jenn has “the ride of her life” where her race plan worked to perfection, putting her in fifth in the XCO once the dust had settled. Watch out 2025, Jenn Jackson is here.

Deep in the winter training, the first World Cup round seemed so far away, now, in the blink of an eye we have two rounds done already. Time for Orbea Fox Factory Team to reflect on their experience in Brazil, and get ready for Nove Mesto at the end of May.