29 May, 2025
Tune Up, Take Off: Orbea Factory Team in Nove Mesto.
We got the band back together. Orbea Fox Factory Team’s arrival in Czechia sees the return of the full team compliment as they prepare for the third round of the 2025 UCI Cross Country World Cup.
With the third World Cup of the season being on the European continent, we have a full rider line up again as well as the Orbea HQ team, plus the team pit setup that lives in Mallabia, having made the journey to Nove Mesto.
There’s no overstating the herculean effort that the team in Mallabia has put in to get the full paddock, the bikes, spares, humans, and everything else to the first European World Cup. We know that, like when designing the bikes, they put their everything into our race team. Needless to say, they have outdone themselves yet again.
Brazil brought its highs and its lows for our riders. After some time at home and learning from the South American lessons, the team is rested and ready to give it their all on the Czech roots and rocks.
Nove Mesto na Morave is a stand alone event with a fortnight separating it and the following race in Leogang. No back-to-back rounds this time. Everything can be thrown at this one race.
Beyond the Tapes returns for its third instalment, taking you behind the scenes with Orbea Fox Factory Team. Take an exclusive look at the riders, mechanics and managers as they navigate the World Cup season.
Rebecca brought with her a very special Orbea Oiz that celebrates her taking the Australian National title in what can only be described as a heroic ride to win with a fractured shoulder and thumb. With previous form in Czechia, there was a sense of nervous anticipation coming back from injury. A solid start and a fierce fight at the sharp end of the race saw her finish 5th. There’s plenty more where that came from.
Simon looked to put his concussion behind him and get back to the sharp end where we and he know he should be. Unfortunately, it would continue to get the better of him, and he’d miss the main event and focus on his recovery.
We know the work Pierre put in since Araxa, and Nove Mesto has been good to him in the past, with his experience working well in the natural, technical terrain and steep, punchy climbs. A solid short track result couldn’t transform into a similar cross country finish. The veteran racer will take stock and go again in Leogang.
Jennifer didn’t finish outside the top 6 in any of the Brazilian races and would be riding the crest of a wave coming into round three. The pace was ferocious from the gun in Nove Mesto, but our Jenn would stay in the fight to cross the line in 14th.
We were very happy to have our Australian champ Rebecca Henderson back. Having focused on her recovery, it’s great to have her speed and experience back in the paddock.
Last time we checked in, the dust was settling in Brazil at the start of April. Fast forward almost two months and we now find ourselves taking stock after round three at the end of May.
Built to Fly
The Oiz has proven itself in the highest levels of competition many times. Now it’s are ready for this year’s challenges. Get inspired and design your own with the MyO personalization tool.
We’re back again this year with our eyes on the prize. Follow along as we share the stories of pushing ourselves and our bikes to the limit in the most exciting races on the world stage.