This story is about Mobel's enduring partnership with the Cofidis cycling team, which has been a part of the global cycling community since 1997.
The partnership began when Rubén Fernández, the winner of the Tour du Porvenir, recommended Mobel to Cédric Vasseur, the general manager of Cofidis. Rubén was familiar with the brand and emphasized its popularity among people he knew, as well as its proximity to his home.
Cofidis accepted Mobel's proposal, and the collaboration quickly took shape. By December, the team had already presented the partnership.
Rubén Navarro, head of communications for Mobel, and his colleagues traveled to Lille, France, to customize equipment for the men's World Tour team, as well as the women's and Paralympic teams. They tailored gear for 51 riders, each with unique body shapes and dimensions. Some riders weighed just 60 kilos, while others were slightly over 60 kilos.
The transition to high level competition
Cofidis has been at the top of its game ever since Mobel Sport started betting on cycling. This significant milestone guarantees the brand's continued presence, whether through partnerships with Burgos BH, Vicma Bike Team MTB (where Olympic medalist David Valero honed his skills), or Valverde Team, among others.
“Our goal was to enter the World Tour, the highest level of professional cycling, and take part in the best races. This move means a leap in quality and the necessary evolution of the brand. Over the last few weeks, we've worked hard and received valuable feedback from cyclists, under intense pressure, which has enhanced who we are. We are now ready for what lies ahead,” says Rubén. Rubén also says that the team will be introducing special designs for the main races on its calendar, such as the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España.
The debut is already a reality
Mobel made its World Tour debut on January 16th, on the other side of the world, in Australia, at the Tour Down Under. In this race, Cofidis debuted the brand's first clothing, worn by Piet Allegaert, Rubén Fernández, Eddy Finé, Milan Fretin, Oliver Knigth, Simon Geschke and Axel Mariault. The team has been competing for a month and a half, with podium finishes for Bryan Coquard in the Gran Premi València and Axel Zingle in the Tour de Provence.
With the first Belgian races already completed, the season now enters a series of races with multiple objectives. Cofidis has thirty cyclists, many of whom are very well-known.
For instance, Ion Izagirre, stage winner of the last Tour de France, or the German cyclist with the charismatic beard, Simon Geschke. Another notable figure is Guillaume Martin, known as a philosopher and writer off the bicycle, and also specialists in combining track and road, such as Bryan Coquard and Benjamin Thomas.
Ion Izagirre is followed by his brother Gorka Izagirre, Ruben Fernandez, Jonathan Lastra and Jesus Herrada, a specialist in winning stages of the Vuelta.
Although victory has been elusive so far, there are still a number of important events marked in red on the calendar.
Mobel's first season in top-level cycling has only just begun.
