Team BMC's Zanotti and Häberlin embark on different journeys in 2025
Team BMC, Juri Zanotti and Steffi Häberlin will go their separate ways in 2025. Both riders have achieved their career-best results with the Swiss team while riding the BMC Fourstroke 01 and are now seeking new challenges on two wheels.
Häberlin joined Team BMC two years ago, recently reaching a career highlight with a top 10 finish in the XCO World Cup in Lake Placid, improving that result the week after in Mont-Sainte-Anne with an eighth place. Additionally, the 26-year-old Swiss rider arrived at Team BMC wearing the national XCM champion's jersey.
Zanotti, on the other hand, has been with Team BMC for three years, during which time he has made significant progress, consistently finishing in the top 20 at World Cup races.
Team spirit
The 25-year-old Italian describes his time on the BMC Fourstroke with Öhlins suspension as ‘priceless.’ One of his favorite highlights is the last World Cup race of the season at Mont-Sainte-Anne. “We had our best collective performance of the season there,” said Zanotti. “We were really proud of what we achieved that day, and it was great to end the season on such a high note. That race came after a series of great results from Jordan, who had won his first World Cup in the US a week earlier. His victory gave Titouan, myself, and the rest of the team infinite energy and motivation.”
“It was at Mont-Sainte-Anne where I truly felt that Team BMC is a real team.”
Häberlin shares a similar sentiment about her time with Team BMC. “As people who follow the sport know, I only started cycling four years ago. I got into mountain biking by chance. When I joined the team, I didn’t really know anyone, but traveling and racing together was always great. There was humor in the team, and we had some really cool conversations—sometimes serious, sometimes lighthearted. My teammates are fantastic people. The boys patiently answered my questions about which line to take, or they would ride a lap with me to show their lines. I cannot be more grateful.”
Lasting Friendships
Both riders take lasting friendships with them into the next chapters of their careers. Zanotti says: “For me, these friendships will last forever, with both other riders and staff. Aside from the racing, the most beautiful thing for me was building real bonds. Every race weekend was an opportunity to smile and enjoy the moments together.”
Häberlin echoes this: “During my time with BMC, I learned things beyond riding a bike, particularly French. Back in school, I never thought I would need to use French every weekend, but now I can say I’ve become fluent. Sometimes when I think about racing, I even start thinking in French. That’s what the friendships within the team have done for me.”
‘I became a better athlete’
Both athletes joined Team BMC at a young age, early in their careers so to say, wearing the brand's iconic ASSOS apparel. “I learned a lot quickly,” Zanotti recalls of his first year with the team two years ago. “Throughout this period, I became a much better athlete. I learned to understand my bike, my body, my mind, and the people around me. I’d say I’ve improved in all aspects of sport and performance. As a BMC athlete, I learned to keep working hard on my weaknesses, and that’s something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.”
Häberlin agrees with her Italian teammate: “During my time with BMC, I learned that situations can change quickly, and you always need to adapt and believe in yourself because every race starts from zero, no matter what happened in the previous race. I think this mindset and approach will benefit me in the future.”
‘Time for the next step’
Both athletes are looking ambitiously forward to the future. Though their time with Team BMC is coming to an end, they have exciting career opportunities ahead. Häberlin says: “I feel ready for a change, and I’m really looking forward to next year. What won’t change is my passion for being outdoors and riding bikes. I’m privileged to be starting a new chapter as a cyclist, and I’m ready to give it my all.”
Zanotti comments: “A new team is waiting for me, and I’m very excited. I’m sure I’ll have new experiences and meet new people. I can’t wait to start working with them and to develop new aspects of my cycling career. I’d like to thank everyone involved in Team BMC: management, sponsors, partners, the sports director, teammates, mechanics, masseurs, media, chefs, BMC employees, and friends.”
“We had a fantastic journey together.”
Both Häberlin and Zanotti will announce their next career steps soon.
