Bici Vida proving a team strategy works

Nov 21st, 09. Bici Vida are bringing European style team's racing to New Zealand. Their strategy is proving a winning formula, with success in Southland followed up by success in Hamilton today.

Team Bici Vida at the Tour of Southland © Bici Vida

Team Bici Vida, who made their debut as a professional cycling team at the Tour of Southland earlier in the month, have their goals set firmly on the most prestigious races in New Zealand and plan to attack these events “as a team”.

They delivered again today when they took first and second place in the Hamilton Open.

The team was set up by Olympic sailor, now cyclist, Carl Williams when he noticed a big gap in the New Zealand road cycling scene.

“The team style of racing is where it’s at, but it doesn’t exist here in NZ. Team racing is a really big thing, it’s everything,” Williams told RoadCyclng.co.nz.

Besides a couple of team based events, most racing in New Zealand is about individual success. This isn't the way it is in Europe said Williams, who cycled and raced with a local club in Valencia, Spain as cross training for his America's Cup campaigns.

In Europe, regardless of level, riders race in teams.

Carl Williams leading Bici Vida to success © RoadCycling.co.nz

Williams' approach for New Zealand cycling success is also based on the successful model America's Cup Oracle Syndicate owner, Larry Ellison, advocates.

“The vision is all cyclists make more money. The reason they make more money is because the events they race in are bigger. The sponsors are also bigger because there is more coverage on television and in the media. Cycling becomes much much more part of the culture of New Zealand,” Williams explained.

How could anyone in cycling disagree with this vision?

Bici Vida, a Spanish phrase, roughly translates into bike life. “Bici Vida is not strictly racing, it’s not strictly individual, it’s everything. It’s a team environment, it’s a cultural thing,” says Williams.

This culture is attracting some high class young riders, riders New Zealand may have lost to overseas teams had this opportunity not arisen.

The team has grown since it's first outing in Southland, adding the Southland double stage winner and green jersey winner Patrick Bevan to its ranks. Bevan said it was the "total attitude behind the project" which made him want to be part of the team.

"When I first spoke to Carl he laid everything out 100% and it is definitely something I want to be part of," he told RoadCycling.co.nz this afternoon.

Also joining the team is Roman Van Uden who raced internationally last year with Land Rover Orbea and won a US criterium against top riders including Lance Armstrong.

The impressive team line-up now includes;

• Tom Findlay 18 – U23 winner Tour of Southland and 3rd GC 2009, U19 National Club Champion 2008
• Patrick Bevin 18 – Green Jersey Tour of Southland 2009, U19 National Club Champion 2009
• Alex Ray 19 – Auckland U23 Champion 2009
• Taylor Gunman 18 – 3rd place Tour de l'Abitibi, Canada
• Roman Van Uden 20 – 1st Place Tour of Gila criterium, US
• Carl Williams (over 23!) - Olympic and America's Cup sailor

The young riders recognise the great opportunity they've been given.

"Bici Vida gives something to stay in New Zealand for. The team is so organised that all you have to do is ride your bike," Taylor Gunman told RoadCycling.co.nz whilst down at the Southland Tour.

The team setup for Southland, and all races includes a great support team allowing the riders to concentrate on racing alone. At Southland they had New Zealand's first and only Tour de France stage winner Paul Jesson on hand for advise and off the bike support.

The young team members are still learning the art of team based racing and the personal sacrifices which often need to be made for the overall team goals. Often used to winning their races themselves, taking a support role is a sometimes difficult task to accept, but the teenagers in the team are learning to adjust. "My time will come," was how they rationalised their own sacrifices.

Southland success and now Hamilton victory for Tom Findlay © RoadCycling.co.nz

Hamilton success

Today it was Tom Findlay's turn for line honours. Findlay, who proved his class amongst the elite riders in Southland taking home the U23 classification and third place on General Classification, today took line honours in the 122km Hamilton Open.

“There was constant attacking from the start. A break of seven guys went early with our Roman (Van Uden), Tom (Findlay) and Paddy (Patrick Bevin) in the break,” said Williams, Bici Vida Team Manager and rider for the event.

“The bunch made a good chase but Tom and Paddy managed to get off the front to take first and second at the finish,” he said.

What's next for Bici Vida?

The next big hit out for Bici Vida is in Taupo with the team entered in both the Friday night Street Race and the Saturday's 155km Taupo Classic.

“Taupo is a pretty significant event for Bici Vida. It’s really about cementing the team, bringing the new guys into the family,” said Williams. “We want to win it!”

Alex Ray hopes Taupo will be his turn for line honours. With all the confidence of a youngster, he told RoadCycling.co.nz he doesn't consider the race particularly hard. If given the opportunity for a bunch sprint, the Aucklander fancies his chances.

Bici Vida is also competing at the Festival of Cycling and then the Elite Nationals, both in Christchurch.