Never change a running system - RAAW // bc.bike Gravity Team

It’s finally that time of the year again, where things get exciting between the tape. This weekend marks the beginning of the first race of the Enduro World Cup and officially welcomes in the new season. So there’s no better time to present the latest news for the RAAW // bc.bike Gravity Team. 

In 2023, the four-member team will compete in the UCI Enduro World Cup under the RAAW // bc.bike Gravity Team. In addition to organisational changes within the race series and a new team name, the Gravity Team also has a junior newcomer. But, first things first. 

As we write these words, Torben and Helen are already in sunny Tasmania preparing for the first two rounds of the EDR World Cup in Maydena and Derby. Hard training sessions and focussed preparations are the basis for being ready for the first races of the season. This year everyone involved in the team has stepped up their game so that Torben and Helen can compete in all Enduro World Cup rounds and build on last year's stellar results. For Helen, it will be her first year in the elite women's category after a successful junior season.

Chris will be concentrating on select World Cups as well as other classic races such as the BC Enduro Tour. And the team will be joined by a fresh faced German rider - Jonathan Heitmann.

For most people, Jonathan is still rather unknown in the enduro scene. Originally a handball player, he now passes that ball on to represent the RAAW // bc.bike Gravity Team in the U21 class at the Enduro World Cup. In his first international enduro race at the beginning of 2022, he qualified for the Enduro World Series and was able to represent Germany at the Trophy of Nations at the end of the year. For him, this season is all about gaining experience and establishing himself in the top 30 of the U21 ranks.

"Never change a running system" is also the motto when it comes to building up the race bikes for the new season. The RAAW Madonna proved itself in countless races and challenges last year, showing its reliability and ease of maintenance. The team doesn’t like to risk it with equipment, so the bike is built almost identically to last year. You can take a look at how Chris sets up his bike for the season here.

We’re looking forward to an exciting and successful season together in 2023 and can hardly wait to breathe the racing air again. We wish Helen, Torben, Chris and Joni every success in this year's Enduro World Cup.