Concluding that it has got off to a ‘roaring start and is more ambitious than ever to grow’, the Uplace-BMC Pro Triathlon team has issued a release reflecting on the past six months.
On 20 January 2014, Bart Verhaeghe, President, and Bob De Wolf, Team Manager, announced the launch of the Uplace-BMC Pro Triathlon Team, billed as ‘the largest professional triathlon team in the world.’ Six months later, the team is offering the first recap from ‘one of the most ambitious professional team projects in the history of triathlon.’
The results so far are impressive with the team scoring a podium finish in more than 60% of the races its athletes participated in.
At the launch the aim was simple and clear… ‘Take 10 world class triathletes, give them the best equipment, professional support and a structure where they can work together to become even better and achieve top results in long distance triathlon.’
Six months later, the team has participated in 53 races: in 15 Ironman distance, 29 half distance, 6 Olympic distance and 3 other type of races. Overall the team won 15 times and finished 33 times on the podium. In the list of victories, some of the most prestigious triathlons can be found, such as the Ironman Asian Pacific Championship in Melbourne, IM Nice, IM Lanzarote, the IM European Championship in Frankfurt and IM 70.3 European Championship in Wiesbaden.
Bart Verhaeghe, President of the Uplace-BMC Pro Triathlon team, said “The intention was to develop a professional trendsetting triathlon team that contributes to the further development of the sport. Our athletes took a roaring start, scoring podium finishes in over 60% of the races they participated in. These results indicate that our professional approach pays off and the team is on the right track. We are more hungry than ever to continue to grow.”
Team Manager, Bob De Wolf, added “I am very pleased with the first 6 months of the season, especially in the way the athletes have integrated in the team and how they have bonded with each other, creating an environment where they learn from each other and use each to get better.
“Secondly the professionalism of erverybody involved in the team from athletes to staff has been second to none. It has always been our intention to provide the best possible structure and professional set up, but it is great to see all athletes getting the best out of the support on offer. Obviously [this] could only be achieved through an excellent network, the commitment and contributions of sponsors and partners.”
Structure & support
Uplace and BMC Switzerland have committed to the Uplace-BMC Pro Triathlon Team for a minimum of two years with a clear intention to continue afterwards. Owner and named sponsor Uplace is responsible for the operational management of the team. Its five dedicated departments – operations, marketing, athletic, bike-technical and medical – provide the athletes and their coaches with coordinated professional support.
Co-sponsor BMC Switzerland supplies the team bikes (the BMC TM01 is the team time trial bike), on-site race support, and research and development to optimize bike performance in races and in training.
A range of partners supports the Uplace-BMC athletes: Shimano/Pro bike components, Pearl Izumi race and training clothing, Lululemon casual clothing, Continental tubulars, Giro helmets, Tacx bike trainers and drink bottles, fi’zi:k saddles, Sailfish wetsuits, Compressport compression products, Sands Beach Active for warm weather training, BMW Le Couter, Adidas Eyewear, Bakala Academy sports-scientific support, Etixx sports nutrition, Best Swim Centre for an annual Mallorca training camp, Sportoase pool and gym facilities, and Assumax insurance.
Uplace is an independent real estate group in the lifestyle business. The company develops and invests in all-in one experience destinations and in innovative office projects. Flagship developments in Belgium include Uplace Brussels, the revitalization of a brownfield site in Machelen with a hotel, offices, retail, leisure and an iconic tower, and office projects in Mechelen along the E19 highway.
As the company notes, ‘We are not a traditional real estate company; we are a real people company. We ask people how they want to live, work and relax and respond by developing, managing and investing in innovative property solutions that add value to communities.’
www.uplacetriathlon.eu
www.uplace.eu
www.bmc-switzerland.com
