2014 was an amazing year for the Uplace-BMC Pro Triathlon Team with 21 victories and a total of 46 podium finishes, including 4 continental Championship titles and the women’s victory in Challenge Bahrain. In almost 70% of the races, the Uplace-BMC athletes placed on the podium. The team also delivered a solid performance in the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii with 5 athletes in the top 12.
The ambitions for 2015 are clear: The Uplace-BMC Pro Triathlon Team wants to consolidate last year's results and maintain its number one position in the world. On top of that the team aims to be competitive in the most important races worldwide with a clear focus on the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Sell Am See, Austria and the Challenge Family Triple Crown Series.
9 athletes with 7 different nationalities will represent the Uplace-BMC team colors: Corinne Abraham (GBR), Bart Aernouts (BEL), Liz Blatchford (AUS), Dirk Bockel (LUX), Will Clarke (GBR), Helle Frederiksen (DEN), Sofie Goos (BEL), Romain Guillaume (FRA) and Ronnie Schildknecht (SUI).
Over the last 5 years, triathlon has been one of the fastest growing sports in the world. The core values of triathlon like strength, drive, sportsmanship, persistence and character stress the authenticity and the purity of the sport. Along with the popularity, the professionalization of the sport grew to a level that makes commercial sustainability possible. The aspect of sustainability is fully in line with Uplace-BMC’s mission statement to create a legacy in triathlon. It is this vision that has enabled Uplace-BMC to develop a project offering significant added value and return for its sponsors. The Uplace-BMC Pro Triathlon Team is now in a position to expand in partnerships and to also attract sponsors from outside the sport. Compared to other sports, triathlon is still relatively inexpensive to get worldwide coverage and therefore commercially it is the perfect moment to step in. The Uplace-BMC Pro Triathlon Team will continue its aim to be a future proof sustainable project and to create a legacy in the triathlon sport for the years to come.
Personal ambitions of the Uplace-BMC Pro Triathletes for 2015:
Corinne Abraham:
"For 2015, I first of all hope to stay injury free, improve on my swim and continue to develop my strength on the bike with the goal of doing well in my first big race of the season, Ironman Texas."
Bart Aernouts:
"I will focus 100% on the World Championships Ironman in Hawaii. My whole season is focused on that race. I won't be competing in too many races which should able me to be fresh at the start in Kona. To qualify for Hawaii, I need to validate my slot in one race. I choose to race Ironman South Africa, where I will try to be competitive."
Dirk Bockel:
"Getting fit and healthy again is my first priority, based on that I look forward to racing and performing at the highest level again."
Liz Blatchford:
"My main goal is Kona. Besides that I will try to win another couple of races: 1 Ironman and 1 half distance, but I haven't finalized my race plan yet."
Will Clarke:
"I want to qualify for Ironman Hawaii, doing a good job out there and push for a top 10 finish. To get there I will race Ironman South Africa, some 70.3 races (UK, Barcelona) and the Triple Crown Series."
Helle Frederiksen:
"I hope to be amongst the best in 2015 in the Triple Crown Series and the 70.3 World Championships."
Sofie Goos:
"In 2015, I hope to win an Ironman again and have a consistent season like in 2014. My two main goals are Ironman Texas and Ironman Copenhagen. I will also race a few 70.3 races in Luxemburg and Brazil."
Romain Guillaume:
"I plan to do 2 Ironman races: Ironman Hawaii and Ironman Malaysia and a couple of 70.3 races (Aix-en-Provence, Barcelona, Wiesbaden, Lanzarote, Cannes). I hope to win Ironman Malaysia and get a top 8 finish in Hawaii."
Ronnie Schildknecht:
"My main objectives are: Ironman Texas where I want to be at least on the podium and a top 5 position in Ironman Hawaii. Besides that I will compete in IM 70.3 races in Monterey and California where I aim to be top 3."
List of 2014 victories:
Corinne Abraham: European Champion Ironman Frankfurt
Bart Aernouts: Ironman Nice, European Championship Ironman 70.3 Wiesbaden
Liz Blatchford: Huskisson, Ironman Cairns, Challenge Forster
Dirk Bockel: Ironman Melbourne
Will Clarke: Mallorca triathlon, Ironman 70.3 UK, Jenson Button Trust Triathlon, Ironman 70.3 Lanzarote
Helle Frederiksen: Ironman 70.3 San Juan, Boulder Peak 5150 Triathlon, Hy-Vee US Pro Championship, Ironman 70.3 Lanzarote, Challenge Bahrein,
Sofie Goos: Ironman 70.3 Texas
Romain Guillaume: Lanzarote Volcano Triathlon, Ironman Lanzarote
Axel Zeebroek: International Triathlon of Weiswampach