Shimano confirms 2016 elite triathlon sponsorship with Uplace-BMC Pro Triathlon Team

Cycling component brand Shimano has agreed to extend its partnership with the Uplace-BMC Pro Triathlon Team (which will continue next year as the BMC-Etixx Pro Triathlon Team) into 2016 with the provision of wheels, chainsets, pedals and brakes, which will feature on the team's bikes.

In addition the sponsorship agreement also extends to Shimano footwear, Pearl iZUMi clothing and PRO handlebars, disc and tri-spoke wheels.

As part of the partnership with Shimano and its component and clothing brands PRO and Pearl iZUMi, BMC-Etixx will be provided with full Shimano DURA ACE Di2 elite racing groupsets for use during the racing season and for training in between races.

The team's riders and mechanics will be able to specify the preferred set-up for each race and each rider, with:

  • PRO Missile Evo TT bars, which are fully compatible with Shimano's Di2 gear shifting technology
  • Dura Ace chainset options will include 11-23T, 11-25T, 11-28T, 12-25T or 12-28T cassettes and 53-39T or 50-34T chainrings
  • BMC-Etixx will use PRO's rear disc and front tri-spoke wheels or Shimano's C24 to super deep-section C75 DURA ACE wheels.
  • Footwear will be taken care of with Shimano's TR9 triathlon-specific shoes
  • Clothing will be supplied by Pearl iZUMi's line of competition-level cycling and running gear.

 

Uplace-BMC-credit-Ingo-Kutsche

(Uplace-BMC's Bart Aernouts in action at IM70.3 in Zell am See. Image credit: Ingo Kutsche.)

BMC-Etixx Team Manager Bob De Wolf said:

"With the addition of some significant partners for the coming season we're thrilled to take BMC-Etixx from strength to strength. The team’s mission statement is to provide maximal professional support, to optimize the performance for our athletes.

"Obviously such can only be achieved through the commitment and contributions of our sponsors and partners. Shimano, PRO and Pearl iZUMi took us to several significant wins in 2014 and 2015 and the riders are very happy to have such high level support for the coming season.”

“The continuous commitment of Shimano allows us to build a long-term high-performance platform to develop talent and deliver victories. What’s more, Shimano is the company that all our riders want to work with so we're delighted to announce the extension of our partnership."

IM Nice credit David Pintens

(Uplace-BMC at Iron Man Nice. Credit: David Pintens)

Shimano's Rudy Bouwmeester, Sports Marketing Manager added:

"A successful partnership takes time to build and nurture so we're very happy to be working with the BMC-Etixx team again in 2016. When we choose ambassadors we look for professionalism, performance and most of all, a highly-functioning team who can play an integral role in our product development process. BMC-Etixx completely embody this with their unique team set-up. We already have a very constructive relationship with the BMC-Etixx athletes and backroom staff and we look forward to working together on the development of our triathlon products in the year ahead."

Hear from the 2015 Uplace-BMC Team on Ride Shimano Radio

Get to know this Belgium based team and its multinational members as they discuss their preparations for the 2015 Ironman World Championships in Kona!

For more on Shimano's triathlon sponsorship see http://www.weraceshimano.com