BMC (Switzerland) - The BMC MTB Racing Team will be present in the women’s field for the first time in 2019 with Julie Bresset, the 2012 Olympic Champion.

French cross-country rider Julie Bresset is joining forces with the BMC MTB Racing Team to give a boost to her comeback. Gold medalist in London, 2012 and 2013 UCI MTB World Championships and 2011 winner of the World Cup series, Bresset took a step back for a few seasons and is now on her way back to high-level competition.

“The 2018 season was a good surprise for me” Bresset explained. “I had fun on the bike and could slowly find my way up the world ranking. My 14th place at the World Cup finals in La Bresse confirms that I can still perform and I know I can do better. How much better? I don’t know yet but joining the BMC MTB Racing Team is exactly what I need to get the answer. Training for the 2019 season started after Roc d’Azur and I am now as motivated as a Junior rider.”

For Sports Director Alex Moos, Bresset’s signing is an exciting challenge: “It was about time for us to include a woman in our program. The level in female racing is incredibly high and competition is super exciting to watch. We are looking forward to playing an active role in that field. The presence of a female rider in the team will also bring new dynamics and we are all excited about it”. The choice of Julie Bresset can be considered by many as a gamble. “No one knows what the future will bring” said Moos “but I truly believe that we can offer the best possible structure and environment for Julie to find her way back to the top.”

Bresset joins fellow rider Titouan Carod in a team that plans to be up there at the front at World Cup and World Championships races as well as in Tokyo 2020.

Lukas Flückiger returns:

After one season away, Lukas Flückiger is happy to join the BMC family again. “I rode for the BMC team for five years (2013-2017) and I realized that it is my second family. It has the right set up for me; it is where I belong and I am really thankful of the trust placed in me.”

Flückiger is looking forward to his captain role at XC races and will also be seen at a couple of major XC Marathon events including the UCI Marathon World Championships and the 30th edition of the Grand Raid.

Reto Indergand’ and Filippo Colombo’s contracts were extended which means the BMC MTB Racing Team will be present in the Elite Men and Women fields as well as in the U23 Men field.

The five riders will be riding the new BMC Fourstroke equipped with the RAD seat post, the first integrated dropper seat post on a XC bike.

2019 Team Roster:

Julie Bresset (FRA, 29), Titouan Carod (FRA, 24), Filippo Colombo (SUI, 21), Reto Indergand (SUI, 27), Lukas Flückiger (SUI, 34).