Having raced with Ridley bikes during its successful 2011 season, the Vacansoleil-DCM team has announced the end of that partnership and the beginning of a new collaboration with the Italian Bianchi company.
The squad, which moved up to ProTeam level at the end of last season and won stages in a range of 2012 races including Paris-Nice, the Tour de Suisse and the Tour de Wallonie, aims to keep expanding in the years ahead. And although its current frame supplier Ridley is moving to be part of the new Lotto-Ridley setup, team manager Dan Luijkx stresses that the switch is out of desire rather than necessity, and is one which will bring benefits to his squad.
“For us, Bianchi is the best option for our long-term strategy and we look forward to our winning cooperation,” he said, speaking about the Italian company. “With a history of 126 years, we believe Bianchi will be an incredible partner.”
The team will use the Bianchi Oltre aero frame next year, which the company states was designed for ‘extreme racing conditions.’ “Bianchi Oltre is the ideal bike for professional and expert riders,” claims its CEO Bob Ippolito. “Our new partnership with Vacansoleil-DCM will provide us with an important opportunity to further develop and test our carbon technology.”
The new deal is for the 2012 and 2013 seasons, although there is an option to extend it beyond that point. The company has a long history in cycling, winning the Tour de France with riders such as Fausto Coppi and Marco Pantani, and taking many other successes.
Meanwhile Ridley has explained why it and Vacansoleil DCM are parting ways. “Of course it is interesting as a Belgian brand to be part of this new prestigious project,” said a spokesman, speaking about the move across to the new Lotto setup.
“Furthermore for years Lotto is a fixed value in professional cycling and we signed a long-term cooperation with them. In the near future we intend to collaborate on several levels of the pyramid of this sport and not only on the top.
“Our cooperation with Vacansoleil-DCM went fluently but with this new opportunity we wouldn’t be able to extend our deal after 2013. That’s why we agreed on ending the cooperation by the end of this season so Vacansoleil-DCM had the opportunity to work on a long-term partnership.”