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Cervelo, others, sponsor new pro road team

Published: Aug. 28, 2008

Canadian bike maker Cervélo will own and sponsor a new European pro road team next season, tentatively titled the Cervélo TestTeam, although the company may announce a title sponsor in the next few weeks.

The company's future with Team CSC-Saxo Bank, which it has supplied since 2002, is uncertain.

"That hasn't been determined yet," said spokesman Peter Donato.

A press release announcing the new team quotes Cervelo co-founder Gerard Vroomen, speaking as if he had little expectation that the company will supply CSC in 2009.

“Most of all we appreciate the confidence (CSC team director) Bjarne Riis had in us back in 2002 and thank him for these past six years. The financial realities of pro cycling today have caused a change in priorities for the team, and we respect that," Vroomen said.

"Our main reason to work with a team is to develop new products, and how better to accomplish that than by owning the team.”

The new team is building upon the Cervelo-Lifeforce women's team, which includes American Olympic gold medalist Kristin Armstrong and Olympic bronze medalist Karin Thurig of Switzerland.

The new team will seek a UCI Pro Continental registration and will be managed by Cycling United Racing, a Swiss group that manages Cervelo-Lifeforce.

Donato said the team would announce a roster and director in the next few weeks.

The team also is sponsored by Zipp, Speedplay, Vittoria and 3T. Vroomen said the team will serve as a product research & development arm for the companies.

"For the past six years this was accomplished in collaboration with Team CSC. As with all testing, Cervélo and its partners know that product development will be more efficient and effective with complete control over the activities and goals of the team," the company said.

"Race performance is only one component of Cervélo TestTeam. Our riders will also be involved in field-testing and providing technical feedback. In addition they will participate in activities with our customers, making them more accessible to cycling fans,” said Vroomen.