Team BMC anticipates classic season opener: Super Cup Banyoles
All Team BMC pilots are set to make a return to racing in Banyoles, participating in the Shimano MTB Super Cup, a UCI HC race scheduled from the 24th to the 25th of February.
In the previous season, Team BMC inaugurated the season in Banyoles. Titouan Carod was Team BMC's top finisher, securing the third position.
The French national champion is keen to return to Banyoles, more motivated than ever after a disappointing season last year. “I want to show the world what I can do on the BMC Fourstroke 01”, he mentions. “Therefore, I made a few small changes in the training routine to prove myself this season. I cannot wait to get the racing started.”
Motivation is not a problem for Jordan Sarrou either. He experienced an exceptional season, and having had the time to work on the BMC Fourstroke’s set up and finetune the smallest details, he is utmost ready for the Olympic year. “The first half of the season will be focus on the first two world cups to get the ticket for Paris, and then – hopefully – Paris 2024 itself. I am looking forward to this season with everyone from the team.”
Juri Zanotti, now in his third year with the team, has trained hard throughout the winter to be ready from the gun: “It is going to be a big season”, the Italian pilot says. “I am going to do my utmost best to make it to Paris 2024 this year. Next to that, I want to finish in the top-10 of a World Cup.”
Janis Baumann, Team BMC’s U23 rider has similar ambitions: “This year, my goal is to race more consistently in the races to improve my overall level”, said the Swiss cyclist, that lines up in both the U23 race on Saturday and the Elite race on Sunday. “From there I want to continue building.”
Häberlin expects to find her name on the results sheets among the top-15 riders in World Cups. Häberlin states: “Representing Team BMC on the first row in the start grid next season is a goal. I want to peak during the World Championships this season.”
This year, the trip to Catalonia also includes Team BMC's official team presentation, which takes place on the Thursday before the racing starts.
Needless to say, all Team BMC pilots will be present at both the team presentation and the HC Super Cup in Banyoles. Following a training camp, Carod, Zanotti and Sarrou prepared for the season in South Africa, while Baumann spent time in Mallorca and Girona. Last but not least, Häberlin also enjoyed her training camp in Girona.
The 2024 season promises to be an exciting one, with the World Cup returning to Brazil, the World Championships in Andorra, and, most notably, Paris 2024.
However, before all the action unfolds, the season must first kick off, and Banyoles is the stage for the 2024 XC theatre.