Overcoming the alpine circuits

The sun is barely peeking over the majestic peaks of the Alps, bathing the landscape in a welcoming golden light. Amid this scene, the Orbea Factory Team riders feel a mix of calm and adrenaline as they prepare for a new race on the international calendar.

They recently competed in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic, famous for its breakneck pace and high-speed technical sections. Then they challenged Val di Sole, Italy, known for its demanding descents and technical terrain.

After facing the challenges and thrills of these two iconic circuits, the Orbea Factory Team is more than ready for the next competition, taking with them the experience and learning acquired in two of the most prestigious MTB venues.

Crans Montana, a new and challenging venue, took the riders out of their comfort zone. Within minutes of riding the unprecedented course, motivation and ambition turned into nerves and tension. This race, the most challenging of the season, required unprecedented effort: hours scouting every possible line, laps analyzing and memorizing every stone and root, and endless time precisely adjusting the bikes. All this with the firm purpose of being the fastest and most skilled on the demanding trails of Crans Montana.

The Orbea Factory Team proved to be prepared to face the most complex situations. Facing circuits like Crans Montana is already a challenge in itself, but the difficulty increases when the weather plays a crucial role. The storms that preceded the races added an extra dose of difficulty to the circuit. In those moments, a real puzzle is formed where it is essential that all the gears of the team work in perfect harmony.

The riders, mechanics, team manager and staff collaborate in a joint effort to chart the path to success. The team’s best performance all year has highlighted the Orbea Factory Team’s worth. Although the results are the ultimate goal, the real achievement lies in the road taken to achieve them, thus laying the foundation for future successes. In the under-23 and elite categories, no team has had such an outstanding and global prominence as the Orbea Factory Team.

Living together for two weeks can be challenging, especially in such a large group. However, it has turned this experience into something truly enriching and positive. The ability to turn challenges into opportunities demonstrates the exceptional strength and togetherness of the team. Chiara describes it as being in a big family, sharing not only races, but also personal and everyday moments in a very special way.

Crans Montana offered a particularly challenging course, where the Orbea Oiz, the bike selected by the whole team, proved its excellence. It stood out even more in the extreme conditions that an XCC or XCO course can bring, with jumps, rock gardens and demanding drops, plus muddy conditions that made the team’s choice crucial. The full 120 mm of travel in the latest version of the Oiz proved its worth on these courses.