Spanish bike brand Orbea is ‘announcing the first of many surprises for [the 2014] Bilbao Triathlon’. The company is throwing its weight behind this popular Spanish triathlon. Its first initiative is to support Orbea sponsored athletes Courtney Atkinson and Jenny Schulz, who will plunge into the Nervión River on 24 May 2014 along with increasing numbers of age group triathletes.
The Nervión River runs through the city of Bilbao and heralds the start of a tough course that has been known to offer up strong winds and cold conditions.
Courtney Atkinson, top 20 in the Beijing and London Olympic Games, and Jenny Schulz, on the podium at the Duathlon World Championships and two-time German champion, will both compete next year in Bilbao.
The two pro triathletes are members of Orbea Orca Triathlon Team; and their presence in Bilbao confirms Orbea’s commitment to the race. Orbea and Orca chose the 2013 Bilbao event for the official presentation of the Orbea Orca Triathlon Team.
Despite having been held only three times, Orbea notes that the Bilbao Triathlon ‘has become a major international event in the triathlon community.’ So much so that in the first 24 hours after the registration opened on Thursday 12 December, more than 200 people registered for 2014.
Courtney Atkinson will be in Bilbao to prepare for the 2014 Ironman Hawaii. Commenting on the Bilbao event, he said “I watched the past edition and they said the atmosphere was incredible, so I can’t wait to come to Bilbao. I was second three times in the ITU World Triathlon Series Madrid. The Casa de Campo was awesome; I’m sure something similar happens in Bilbao.”
Jenny Schulz said “I’ve heard a lot about this town and only knowing I’ll go there makes me happy. In terms of sports, I’ll surely fight to win Bilbao Triathlon, as it’ll be the first big step I’ll take before my first long-distance race in 2014.”
In January 2013, Spain’s leading bike company Orbea confirmed its partnership with Orca to form the Orbea-Orca Triathlon Team. Orbea wants to continue to develop and grow globally, and notes…. ‘With the athletes racing in our team we are reinforcing this statement.’
The Orbea-Orca Triathlon Team project works not only at a pro level but also by launching a global talented athletes program. This will mean brand involvement with the best young talented athletes in both long and short distance.
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.’
Orbea is part of the Mondragón Cooperative Corporation and is Spain’s largest bicycle operator.
Orbea notes that it will be backing the 2014 Bilbao Triathlon ‘with many more surprises’. Further details on these will follow in due course.
www.bilbaotriathlon.com
www.orbea.com
www.orca.com
