Giant steps in to fill sponsorship void
Giant has stepped in to fill the loss of Argos as a co-title sponsor of the UCI pro team formerly known as Argos-Shimano.
The new team name will be Giant-Shimano. The company will also be stepping in to the sponsor a development team and a women’s pro team, Liv/giant.
Giant has noted that they are committed to a multi-year sponsorship of the team that lost a title sponsor with the departure of Argos at the end of 2013. The new sponsorship should give a firm footing for the team and riders moving forward. Argos noted in October that they intended to continue to sponsor the team for three more years, but the deal fell through before the end of the year.
The team boasts an impressive roster of proven members, including John Degenkolb and Warren Barguil, but the star of the squad if Marcel Kittel who pulled in 15 race wins during 2013 and won four stages of the Tour de France.
“We are very proud of the confidence that Giant has shown in our athletes, our organization and our vision,” said team general manager Iwan Spekenbrink. “By stepping up after our planned title sponsor departed, Giant is demonstrating their belief in the superior results, global reach and integrity we have established over the last several years. The idea of building a new concept in pro cycling, together with Giant, has been welcomed with great enthusiasm by the riders and the entire organization.”
The women’s team will be led by Kirsten Wild and Claudia Häusler.
All three teams will be outfitted with bikes and new kits, including new, sleek, black and white jerseys, a change from the solid white of the Argos era.
