The Blanco Pro Cycling Team has found a new main sponsor in US hardware manufacturer Belkin and is now called Team Belkin. Giant continues to support the Pro Team with bikes and apparel.
The Belkin logo will adorn the new jersey at the start of the Tour de France next Saturday, June 29.06.2013, 2015 in Corsica. The contract for the new Team Belkin will initially run for two and a half years, thus securing the future of the Dutch racing team until at least the end of XNUMX.
“As a sport, people are familiar and familiar with cycling. Success also depends heavily on innovation. The fanbase that follows the sport is passionate and tech-savvy, which is very close to the Belkin brand.", said Chet Pipken, Belkin founder and CEO.
"With 19 wins in the current year and a new main sponsor, 2013 is developing into a dream season for our team", according to Richard Plugge. “As a company, Belkin shares the same values and global ambitions as we do. We're thrilled to have these people on board as lead sponsors and we
look forward to more than two more years of mutual success.”
The team, for which the Germans Paul Martens and Robert Wagner also ride, started at the beginning of the year as the Blanco Pro Cycling Team. Giant will remain headquartered even after the entry of the new main US sponsor
in Los Angeles continues to be a partner of the team. "With our top-of-the-line products, we offer our drivers the support they need to be successful at the highest level", said Tom Davies, GIANT Sports Marketing Manager. "Our partnership with Giant continues to form the basis of our sporting success"said Richard Plugge General Manager of Belkin Pro Cycling.
The drivers start with the models TCR Advanced SL, Propel Advanced SL and Trinity Advanced SL. The first major media appearance of the new Team Belkin is already scheduled for next Saturday. At the start of the Tour de France, Team Belkin will be taking part in international racing for the first time in Corsica.
Led by Dutchman Bauke Mollema, who came second overall in the Tour de Suisse, the Belkin team is also going into the race with a new look.
“We aligned our team around Bauke Mollema. We're confident that we'll get a good result with him as the team leader. The Tour de Suisse has shown that he is in excellent shape. In addition to a good overall placement in the Tour de France, we are also striving for one
stage win on", according to Belkin sporting director Nico Verhoeven.
Alongside Bauke Mollema are Lars Boom, Laurens ten Dam, Robert Gesink, Tom Leezer, Lars Petter Nordhaug, Bram Tankink, Sep Vanmarcke and Marten Wynants in the nine-man Belkin squad.