2021, as for many actors in cycling and sport, is a year of reinvention. We consider ourselves fortunate, within the misfortune of the pandemic and the confinement, because our sponsors were there, without changing a comma to what was agreed," says Fran Perez, team manager, "and that is to be appreciated in such an unstable context.
Indeed, Primaflor, Mondraker and the other sponsors, including Gobikwere up to the challenge of the coronavirus challenge. and how it has disrupted so many plans and projects. Fran Perez looks at it now and pinches himself, even at some of the results that were achieved in the little competition that took place.
"We managed to a couple of Spanish championships and even a podium with Rebecca in one of the rounds of the Nove Mesto World Cup."He boasts, while thinking about the many difficulties he encountered last year, difficulties that still weigh heavily on his mind: "every race is a kind of adventure, you don't know what to expect at the start".
But the team is looking confidently to the new year, with a hot zone, the month of May, there ".Jofre Cullell will play for the Olympic place with Pablo Rodríguez and Sergio Mantecón.. Discounting that David Valero has the ticket, the World Cups in May will have the decision".
A decision that requires a lot, among other things a total determination, because Jofre Cullell does not want to wait to be elite and will be able to measure himself with them in the three world cups. "The five best U23 riders in the world can take that leap and play for the Olympic places among elites. Jofre is very clear, he wants to be in Tokyo and not wait for Paris".
Competition, competition and competition
When you talk to Fran Perez his naturalness and closeness does not disguise the competitive gene he brought from his time in professional cycling at the highest level. "Competition is our root and what drives us. Everything revolves around the result."
A result in which every factor counts and Gobik The team's "total availability and collaboration is what makes us tick". They adapt to everything we ask of them with Swiss punctuality".
For Fran, this seriousness is a sign that his great patron, Primaflor, puts at the top of the value chain, as well as the brand that puts his riders on the road: Mondraker. "We are very careful with social networks, everything we put up must be aligned with the image that our sponsors want, a sustainable and close image, always linked to the competition.". Values that, by the way, mountain biking sells.
The year that begins with the right news thanks to the unwavering support that sponsors have shown even in the most complex moments of this pandemic. "The same brands as last year, with some occasional additions, is certainly great news and a relief, as some have already invited us to think about 2022".
The peace of mind of having his back covered supports Jofre's present challenge, but it helps the progression of a phenomenon called Francesc Barber, youth champion of Spain. "with extraordinary numbers and number one of the UCI"and Sara Méndez, who "felt the lack of competition in 2020, being an important year for her, as she was a first year junior, but little by little she has put the batteries this season," says Fran.
In any case, the team's objectives remain clear: "We are not the structure with the biggest budget in the world". paddockBut we are clear and honest about our possibilities and the bikers appreciate that".
A very clear example: "Rebecca McConnell has stayed with us after her great World Cup last year.She has turned down juicier offers, I know, because she makes the project her own, like us, like our patrons. We supported her in difficult times and now she thanks us in this way. It is a joy".
And so much, because Rebecca, but also Daniel McConnell already have an Olympic ticket, which Primaflor now has.Mondraker works on extending for Jofre Cullell.
Texts: JoanSeguidor's Notebook
