Introducing BMC Switzerland
When you think of Switzerland what springs to mind? Maybe it’s some of the world’s finest chocolate, precision watches or a country filled to the rafters with picturesque mountain ranges. For a country spanning just 41,285 km² and with a population just over the eight million mark you may be surprised to find they are punching well above their weight when it comes to cycling.
Not just the home of cycling superstars such as Hugo Koblet and, more recently, Fabian Cancellara, the Swiss nation can also boast claim to one of the industry’s leading bike manufacturers, BMC.
1986 was the year. Grenchen, Switzerland was the place. From humble beginnings licensing Raleigh bikes, in 1994 the brand BMC was born. With an injection of financial support, as well as a whole new outlook on the professional side of the sport by shareholder Andy Rihs, in 1998 BMC soon became one of the key players when it came to delivering results, for amateurs and professionals alike.
Professional Sport
BMC moved into the professional sporting arena in 2000 under the guise of the Phonak Cycling Team. Although blighted by doping scandals, this was a landmark moment for the brand and led to the creation of the BMC Racing Team in 2007.
Winning multiple national titles, as well as two World Team Time Trial titles, a Tour de France and numerous prestigious one day races, the BMC team ran until 2018. In that time working with the likes of Cadel Evans, Greg Van Avermaet and Taylor Phinney proved invaluable for the brand, allowing them to develop their range with some of the sport’s most successful riders’ input.
Andy Rihs
A man who played a crucial part in the development of the brand, Andy Rihs took the helm of BMC in 2000, where he remained until his passing in 2018. From there he built a carbon production facility which was instrumental in the creation of the IMPEC Lab, and also worked closely with road, triathlon and mountain bike sponsored athletes.
The Bikes
At Sigma Sports we are honoured to be stocking BMC both in store and online. We have taken a look at some of the disciplines BMC cover, from road and time trial to adventure and endurance.
Altitude Series
The holy grail between outright aerodynamic efficiency and exceptional handling prowess, BMC’s Teammachine has an impressive palmares that includes Tour de France stage wins as well as Olympic and World titles.
Most recently used by Team Dimension Data, the Teammachine is made up of both aluminium and carbon fibre models and forms part of BMC’s Altitude Series, bikes that are designed to be ridden aggressively, pushed to their limits and enjoyed at speed.
Endurance Series
Some of the most versatile bikes in the Swiss brand’s collection, the Roadmachine range bridges the gap between endurance and performance. Eating up the miles on everything from smooth tarmac to nerve jangling cobbles, the power transfer is exceptional, while the impressive levels of vertical compliance ensures comfort, however long you spend in the saddle, is not compromised.
Aero Series
The medals and titles do not lie, BMC’s range of aero and triathlon bikes are FAST. Developed at BMC’s cutting edge design and testing facilities and honed on the road by some of the fastest male and female athletes in the world, the optimised aero shapes, innovative integration and vast amount of adjustability make the road bike version of the Timemachine one of the fastest models on the market and allow everyone from those looking to dip their toe in the aero road bike world to world-class athletes the opportunity to perform at their best.
Triathlon Series
Optimised tube shaping, component integration second to none, an extensive rider positioning system and some of the sharpest looking colour schemes on the grid. The BMC Timemachine in its triathlon and time trial guise is as capable on fast flowing out and back courses as it is on tight, technical town centre prologues. Disassembling the cockpit of the Timemachine is simple and makes traveling with the bike a breeze. Rear box storage and integrated fuel options add versatility and make the bike ideal for long distance races and training.
Gravel Series
When the tarmac stops and the rough stuff begins, the BMC URS comes into its own. Part of the Gravel Series, the bike is designed for adventures with a progressive geometry designed allowing you to explore further than you ever thought you could on a gravel bike. Integrated, functional and heaps of fun, there’s a lot to love about getting off the beaten track on a BMC.
Inspired to add a BMC to your bike fleet? Follow the link below to browse the complete BMC range.
