The 2022 Sea Otter Basic was a launch occasion for a lot of merchandise, however Bianchi launched one thing completely different. They launched a brand new assortment of racers and mentors dubbed the Bianchi R & D Collective.
All pictures courtesy of Bianchi
What’s the Bianchi R & D Collective?
The R & D Collective, which stands for Race and Develop, is a set of elite-level athletes representing a number of biking disciplines, all introduced collectively by Bianchi to share their passions for racing and rising the game of biking.
The ensemble solid of six privateers spans the complete spectrum of ages, geographies, and racing expertise, with this system’s main focus being on gravel racing. From an 18-year-old Texas highschool pupil to a 51-year-old New England cyclocross legend, all of them share a ardour for competing on the highest degree and have a standard bond; the will to encourage and develop different athletes in all issues biking.
“Bianchi is deeply invested in the way forward for our sport, its athletes, and the better biking neighborhood,” mentioned Pat Hus, CEO of Bianchi USA. “We chosen athletes to affix our mission primarily based on their accomplishments on the bike, however extra importantly primarily based on their story and what they’re doing to make a distinction in biking.”
The staff lineup consists of three world-class coaches who’re at present mentoring and coaching over 200 athletes throughout the nation in all biking disciplines. One other athlete manages the most important Bianchi dealership in Colorado and works day by day to develop and develop the game.
Adam Myerson defined -“I used to be out there for a brand new bike sponsor and had focused Bianchi particularly as one of many few manufacturers making a true race-specific ‘cross bike nonetheless. After reaching out, what got here to fruition was greater than I might have imagined. It’s extremely validating to have a sponsor get behind you and say, “preserve doing what you’re doing.” For me, which means persevering with to develop the game. To educate, run occasions and clinics, dad or mum, and see how my racing nonetheless matches into these issues. To get to try this on Bianchi bicycles is unimaginable.”
One other Bianchi R & D rider makes use of her affect and numerous platforms to recruit and encourage different girls to share her ardour for racing. Lastly, the youngest rider on the staff is an aspiring athlete in growth and is changing into a mentor in his personal proper together with his friends in highschool and all through his dwelling state of Texas.
Becoming a member of Bianchi in help of the Collective are different Italian-based manufacturers – Castelli Biking, Kask Helmets, Koo Eyewear, Fi’zi:okay Saddles and Sneakers, and Crank Brothers.
All the Collective raced all through the weekend on the Sea Otter Basic at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, CA. The race schedules for every athlete fluctuate and intention for key regional races and different main nationwide occasions such because the Belgian Waffle Rides, Unbound Gravel, Paris To Ancaster, Steamboat Gravel, and Large Sugar.
2022 marks the primary 12 months Bianchi is not going to be within the World Tour peloton, as their single-year sponsorship with Workforce BikeExchange-Jayco ended final season (although Bianchi CEO, Pat Hus, promised they’d be again through the launch occasion). Bianchi took this a chance to sponsor regional and national-level expertise. The Bianchi R & D Collective is just one of many groups that the model is sponsoring this season, together with Workforce-Colavita-Bianchi skilled girls’s squad.
Athletes — Bianchi R & D Collective
Adam Myerson – A New England cyclocross legend, Adam is one in every of our “builders.” Along with quite a few highway, crit, and cyclocross Nationwide Championships and Pan Am Championships, Adam has years of teaching and occasion administration expertise together with his Cycle-Sensible program.
Brian McCulloch – One other “developer,” Brian brings an extended and profitable highway racing profession with him to show and inspire his athletes at Large Wheel Teaching. Brian is a previous winner of the Belgian Waffle Experience, and his racing information is matched by his want to get the very best out of others. Bjørn Selander – One more coach, Bjørn is a former World Tour racer with a great deal of highway and cross expertise to go on to the following era. Bjørn coaches members of Minnesota Junior Biking and can give attention to gravel and cyclocross.
Jake Peterson – Whereas he’s 27 years previous, Jake could be thought-about one in every of our “growing” racers who might be leaning on the expertise of his extra senior teammates. Search for Jake to make use of this chance to leap into extra prestigious races and longer distances. Jake manages the C3 Bike Store, one in every of Bianchi’s robust retailers on Colorado’s entrance vary.
Whitney Put up – The winner of final 12 months’s Sea Otter Gravel Race and total BWR Triple Crown of Gravel, Whitney juggles her skilled profession together with her ardour for racing. Whereas a considerably current convert to biking, Whitney brings an enthusiasm and power degree that’s exhausting to surpass.
Wesley Haase – Our youngest member, Wesley represents the following era of biking hopefuls. He should still be in highschool, however Wesley is already pondering of passing his biking ardour to these youthful and fewer lucky. Wesley has added gravel racing to his NICA and TMBRA xc racing. The R & D Collective was launched on the 2022 Sea Otter Basic, the place your entire staff raced collectively for the primary time in a number of disciplines. Whitney Put up rode to a hard-fought 2 nd place end within the Open Professional Gravel race.
For extra info on Bianchi and the Bianchi R/D Collective, take a look at:Bianchi.com
