Orbea announces a new XCO team: the Saltoki Orbea Development is born

Orbea expands its sports structure with the launch of Saltoki Orbea Development, a new training team that emerges as a direct talent pool for the Orbea FOX Factory Team (OFT). The Basque cooperative thus strengthens its global Cross Country project with a structure specifically aimed at detecting, supporting, and projecting young talent towards the elite.

Saltoki Orbea Development: this is Orbea's new commitment to boost the XC talent pool

The new team, affiliated with the Iturrotz Sports Cycling Club, will fully integrate into the OFT ecosystem and will allow young MTB prospects to access a professional environment from their first steps. The goal is to provide a solid platform to grow as cyclists and as individuals, with access to a high-level sports program, technical support, and a calendar that includes national competitions, World Cups, and UCI Junior Series.

The philosophy of the project goes beyond performance. The work with the riders will cover all areas that determine progression in modern XC: physical planning, nutrition, mechanics, sports career orientation, and a strong emphasis on values that the brand considers essential: humility, effort, overcoming challenges, teamwork, respect, and innovation.

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For the Navarre team, taking this step represents a decisive leap in its evolution. “This integration opens the door to resources, knowledge, and a professional network that until now was reserved for very few structures,” explains Alfredo Fernández, head of Saltoki Orbea Development. “It also allows us to consolidate our school from the grassroots level to the master category.”

From Orbea's perspective, the move is seen as a strategic piece to strengthen the bridge between the talent pool and the elite within the OFT project. “With Saltoki Orbea Development, we seek more than just results,” emphasizes Iñaki Ucín, Sports Marketing Manager at Orbea. “We want to train cyclists and individuals with a solid foundation. Our goal is for this structure to become the natural pathway to the elite of XC and an international reference in talent development.”

The team will debut internally in January, when it will participate in the Team Camp of the Orbea FOX Factory Team, a first step to begin sharing processes, knowledge, and methodology with the professional structure.