Astana ends partnership with Argon 18
Canadian bike manufacturer has supplied Astana since 2017
After three years, Astana Pro Team and Canadian bicycle company Argon 18 have parted ways, the team announced on Wednesday. Since 2017 the squad has won the 2019 Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2019, 2017 & 2019 Critérium du Dauphiné , 2018 Amstel Gold Race, 2019 Itzulia Basque Country 2019, and 2019 Volta a Catalunya on Argon 18 machines. Canadian Hugo Houle has raced for Astana since 2018 and has a contract until 2022.
Astana Pro Team and Argon 18 end partnership. We wish a good luck to @Argon18bike in future projects!
??Read details: https://t.co/rmo0ySSNCA#AstanaProTeam#Argon18
?@GettySport pic.twitter.com/d2jQiNHafS
— Astana Pro Team (@AstanaTeam) November 27, 2019
Argon 18 was the bike supplier of Bora-Argon 18 in 2015 and 2016 before the team was in the WorldTour. The company was founded in 1989 by former Canadian road cyclist Gervais Rioux.
Martin Le Sauteur, the president and CEO of Argon 18, said in Astana’s press release, “These last three seasons have been marked by multiple race wins and the launch of new products developed in collaboration with the team and tested by Astana Pro Team riders on the most demanding WorldTour circuits. We take great pride in the work accomplished throughout this sponsorship. A pride validated by the many positive comments from riders, mechanics and other Astana Pro Team staff regarding the quality of the products and support Argon 18 has provided them. In this sense, we can say: mission accomplished.”
So far, Astana hasn’t said which bike company will succeed Argon 18. Specialized was the team’s previous ride.
