"We are opening a new chapter in our team history." This is how Joe Broder describes the step that is taking place from 2017 to 2018. Until the end of 2016, the team was purely a junior team, with female athletes including the U23s. The team boss is now starting the 2018 season with a strong elite group, led by Thomas Litscher, who was already on board last season and to a certain extent initiated the transition.

Adelheid Morath is a new signing. The 33-year-old German has already recorded a number of top ten results in the World Cup in her career, including a fourth place in Val di Sole. She was in the top ten three times in 2017 and finished 13th overall. She has competed twice at the Olympic Games and was German champion in 2014.

"I still see potential in Adelheid that she hasn't fully exploited," says Joe Broder. The Black Forest native is looking forward to the coming year. "I'm super happy to be part of jb Brunex Felt and that I'm back in a team with Thom. We rode together for Felt for two years and know what makes us tick," explains Morath. "Joe and Lisa put their heart and soul into the team, you can feel that. I have a lot of respect for them taking this step now."

An Austrian for Tokyo 2020

Max Foidl has also been watching Joe Broder for a long time and first approached him back in May. "I am convinced that he can make it to the Olympic Games in 2020". And Tokyo 2020 is the declared goal. "We already have European champions and world champions. But we haven't been represented at the Olympics yet," Broder continues.

Max Foidl is making the step from the U23 to the elite category in 2018. The environmental systems science student comes from St. Johann in Tyrol and knows that he needs an appropriate and patient strategy for the elite category. "I first have to take a look at the World Cup before I can make any predictions. First of all, I'll try to improve my starting position with smaller races. Then I can go one better," he says ahead of his first year, in which the U23 World Championship eighth-placer is concentrating mainly on the sport.

Forchini concentrates on the sport

Similarly, Ramona Forchini has also completely focused on cycling for the first time. However, the U23 world champion from 2015 and road world championship participant from this year wants to remain a mountain biker. "The World Championships in Norway were great, but cross-country is my sport. It will be my first year with full concentration on the sport and I'm happy that I'm getting the chance. I'm really looking forward to the coming season," explains Forchini, who is one of the Swiss hopefuls.

Thomas Litscher remains the driving force behind jb Brunex Felt. "I'm in the right place here, it feels good," nods Litscher. "The team has a family feel and we are very well positioned for the coming season. We will go one better." Joe Broder speaks of the "incredible impact" that Litscher's bronze at the World Championships in Australia has had on the team.

Thanks to Brunex and Felt

The fact that the 2018 season can begin with such a powerful team was only possible thanks to additional support from sponsors Brunex and Felt. The number one Swiss door manufacturer Brunex® increased the budget and Felt grew from a national to an international team and now operates as the Felt Factory Team.

"Thanks to Brunex® and Felt, we can now tackle the goal of the Olympics. Without their support, this would not have been possible," emphasizes Broder. He also has another surprise up his sleeve. But it will be a while before it is announced.

Roots in the offspring remain

Even though the eyes of the public will primarily follow the professionals around Litscher, Joe Broder and his wife Lisa Broder-Dätwiler do not want to neglect the underpinnings. Jorin Gabriel, Lara Krähemann, Casey South, Nico Eichenberger, Fabio Püntener (all U23s in future) and German Lars Kämmlein in the U19s will retain the team's roots in the youth sector. "That remains our philosophy," Broder makes clear. Verena Huber, who has improved greatly this year, will continue to represent the team in the marathon sector.