Orbea and Cofidis-Solutions Crédits have joined forces for the next two years; although, according to a release from the Spanish bike firm, Orbea has ‘longer-term ambitions’.
The new deal with French pro cycling team Cofidis follows a previous partnership with UCI World Tour team Euskaltel-Euskadi, which ended in 2013. Orbea points out that ‘After the longest cycling sponsorship in the UCI World Tour, Orbea is now coming together with a passionate partner, committed to cycling, with whom we hold many shared values.’
Orbea has remained a notable present in pro cycling competitions, working with teams at many levels, such as: Team Novo Nordisk, Fundación Euskadi, the US-based women’s team FCS, amongst others.
2015 marks Orbea’s 175th anniversary. Next year the Cofidis-Solutions Crédits team will have at its disposal Orbea’s Orca for road cycling, Ordu for time-trialling, and Orbea’s new R10 helmet.
Working closely together with Cofidis, Orbea notes that it ‘will be able to follow up riders’ needs more closely, develop specific bikes for winning mountain stages, sprints or classic races, and plan our future work on road bikes, time-trial bicycles and helmets.’
Cofidis-Solutions Crédits is a renowned, well-established team, competing in all the grand tours on the international calendar. The visibility of the Orbea brand in these races will help Orbea… ‘consolidate our position in strategic markets and will offer a face and a voice to cycling enthusiasts all over the world.’
Orbea is part of the Mondragón Cooperative Corporation and is Spain’s largest bicycle operator. Orbea bike frames are manufactured in Asia and finished in Spain – with the brand shipped worldwide.
In 2011, Orbea further cemented its relationship with Orca – the wetsuit and apparel tri brand. Heralding from New Zealand, Orca is part of the Orbea family – with Orbea and Orca reaching an agreement in 2011 for Spanish Orbea to acquire Orca’s ‘operation rights in the triathlon and compression area.’ This deal gave Orbea global rights to the Orca brand, following ‘four years of fruitful relations’ between the two companies.
