Orbea has announced the extension of its relationship with pro triathlete Andrew Starykowicz. According to the Spanish biking giant, ‘Andrew and Orbea are known on the triathlon circuit as the fastest cycling duo, and we are contenders to win any race.’
Widely regarded as a powerhouse on the iron distance bike leg, at the 2012 Ironman Florida event, Andrew set a world-best Ironman bike split of 4:04:39. Then in 2013 at Ironman Florida he beat his own record with an incredible 4:02:17. Also in 2013, he clocked the fastest bike split at Ironman Hawaii.
In 2014, Starykowicz, aka Starky, beat all challengers at Ironman 70.3 Eagleman and Ironman 70.3 Puerto Rico, where the American triathlete earned his eleventh major win as a professional.
These results built the foundation of the partnership with Orbea that now extends through 2017. Andrew, ‘Mr. 4:02’, will be riding his Orbea Ordu over the next three years, showing he is one of the strongest competitors on the bike in Ironman races.
Starky will be the Orbea Orca Triathlon Team’s flagship triathlete. The company added that ‘together, we will continue to develop our triathlon-specific technologies, both in the wind tunnel and the toughest Ironman races. As fast as we are together, we want to be even faster. We want to win more races and break more records.’
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.
