Meet Stradalli-Bike Aid Pro Racer Damien Garcia

One of Stradalli-Bike Aid's newest young racers is Damien Garcia. At 23 he is entering his third-year as a professional out of Pau, France. 

Originally from the Southwest of France, Garcia has already seen and experienced a lot in races all around the world. He raced for Euskatel Development Team in Spain before transferring to GSC Blagnac, the best elite team in France. 

2014 Garcia began racing for a continental team out of Luxembourg before ending up in Norway for 2015.

With all that traveling Garcia is very excited to find himself with the Stradalli-Bike Aid team, mostly because of the family atmosphere. 

“When you spend countless weeks together with the same group of guys you want to make sure you get along with them. The Stradalli –Bikeaid team is truly like a family and that's what I like about them. We enjoy racing with each other and work hard to help our teammate. Now we have to keep racing hard but also stay humble as we prepare for upcoming races. I am excited to be a part of the team and help us advance to the best of my best abilities.” Garcia said.

Stradalli – Bike Aid began their season at La Tropicale Amissa Bongo. Since then they have raced in the Mallorca Challenge as well as the Vuelta Ciclista a Andalucia Ruta del Sol. Garcia said the Ruta del Sol was a great experience for him.

“I believe i learned more in the 5 days of racing the Vuelta Andalucia than eight years of cycling. The team, staff and riders gained  knowledge and experience in that race and it will serve us for the rest of the season.” Garcia said.

The Ruta del Sol was the perfect testing ground for Stradalli – Bike Aid’s young talents and a taste of what is possible for the team in the future.

“For me personally the race was a great experience. I'm racing with World Tour riders through the mountains on live television in 120 countries. That's an amazing experience and something you dream of doing.” Garcia said.

Garcia feels that racing against such competition is important for the growth of the team.

“You had Valverde, van Garderen, Mollema, Kelderman, Kyrienka and Poels all there. The biggest difference with the races at World Tour level is when the top teams such as Sky, Movistar, BMC or Lotto start to push it is real steamroller and you cannot go back to front. We have to fight to keep our place.” Garcia said.

One area where the Stradalli-Bike Aid team will not be overmatched this year is with equipment as the team is armed with the latest Aversa full carbon road bikes from Stradalli Cycle, an advantage Garcia is grateful to have. 

“The performance of the road bikes we got from Stradalli have been spectacular. They were well tested in the high mountains and the performance was perfect. The bikes are super reactive and easy to climb with. The Ruta del Sol was a grueling race with only 81 of the 165 racers finishing. I was proud to be one of the 81. ” Garcia said.