One thing is having this 2020 that is facing its final stretch and it is none other than not having left anyone indifferent.
For the BH Templo Cafés - UCC, the story has not been alien to him and seen now it could be said that they have had the same waist that show in the best MTB circuits: "We are happy," admits Carlos Coloma, "within the misfortune that we have had to live. We have shown that we have the ability to move forward in very complicated circumstances for everyone".
This is how he outlines the path: "Our team has always had a very clear vocation for communication, from the very first days, and that has been noticeable, because the machinery did not stop even during the confinement. It was all perfect, and everyone did their part, the riders, the staff, the mechanics... all contributing original content that has allowed us to keep in touch with our followers and meet our sponsors".
How to communicate during a confinement?
With the current closure of the country, a communication plan was imposed, yes, but also of contact with the people, which was scrupulously fulfilled: "From mechanical advice, to bike assembly, suspension settings adjustments, gym work, tire testing and some chats with curious people, who are not from cycling, but who are cyclists at heart as the Café Quijano or Santi Rodriguez "the greengrocer".
Carlos Coloma spent that time in his village, in Albelda de Iregua, where he has his house, his family and the team's headquarters: "I was fortunate to spend the hardest months in a house in the middle of the countryside, near a village of about 3000 inhabitants, with all that that entails. This year has certainly taught us many lessons, in my case, and going back to where I live, I appreciate living in the middle of nature more than ever".
BH Templo Cafés - UCC came out of the challenge with flying colors: "At the structural level, we've survived the ordeal, we've maintained the structure of nine professionals and, although we've gone through an ERTE, we've come out ahead. The sponsors have been there, without fail, even without a calendar in sight".
Sponsors that included and continue to include Gobik A brand that has been with us from minute zero," continues Carlos, "and that in these times has had the guts to take on solidarity projects that we have not hesitated to join.
The block has been able to create a community of half a million followers.
A 2021 that will be Olympic
And now 2021, the year we all hope to resume what once filled our lives and we miss so much. At the team level, we must "complete a series of additions, some of them of great importance, that is to say, a world top, which will be added to the structure where Rocío del Alba, Pablo Rodríguez and myself are already present". In addition, the school has grown from 60 to 80 children this past year.
The delay in the dates of the Olympic Games," continues Carlos, "has meant a profound change in all the planning, but we have been able to reorient it. Rocío, in her case, has done a lot of muscular work, which during the season is more complicated to do. This period will make her stronger for the event.
Pablo has worked very well at home and I'm keeping an eye on all of them. Of course I want to be in Tokyo, but with the necessary level".
Right now only Rocío has a guaranteed place, the two men's places are in the wings: "We want the BH Templo Cafés - UCC to get the Spanish places for the Olympic Games. The setback has been for everyone, but we have worked very well".
A work that makes the days stretch and stretch, even now in November. "We owe it to our sponsors, who number up to sixteen and the work is intense. BH sends us prototypes for testing, with Gobik we're working on a design that, without seeing it yet, I'm sure it will be beautiful..."
What will it be like?
"Right now there are two proposals on the table, you'll see them" he concludes mysteriously.
TextsThe Notebook of Joan Follower
