Australian fans eager to see the new GreenEdge kit will have to wait a little longer, following the news that the team doesn’t plan to unveil the official team clothing until the Santos Tour Down Under on January 15th.
“The official kit will be at Down Under,” general manager Shayne Bannan said, according to Cycling Central. He added that the large number of team riders competing in the earlier Mars Australian national road race championships will use different jerseys to the main one to be used in 2012.
The reason for the delay in unveiling the kit is not yet known, although waiting until the WorldTour race will certainly attract extra attention from Australian journalists and fans.
The team should find out soon if it will have a ProTeam licence in 2012.
Bissell names Campagnolo, SRM and more as suppliers, sponsors also listed
Raring to go after a very strong 2011, the Bissell Pro Cycling team has announced the sponsors and suppliers which will be supporting the team next season. It will use the Campagnolo EPS groupset, benefiting from electronic shifting, and will also be using a redesigned Pinarello Dogma 2 bike which it states will be ‘stiffer, lighter and more aerodynamic.’
“Everyone at Campagnolo is very excited to be partnering with the Bissell Pro Cycling Team for the coming years,” said Tom Kattus, general manager, Campagnolo North America. “Campagnolo is steeped in racing tradition and working with the No. 1 ranked team in the NRC is consistent with our commitment to supporting bicycle racing on a global basis.
“We look forward to working with Glen Mitchell (BPC Team Manager) and the team here in North America as they defend their No.1 ranking and reach for new heights.”
The squad will once again use the combination of Easton wheels and Vredestein’s Tricomp racing tubulars, as well as Speedplay Zero pedals and Fizik saddles.
SRM is coming on board to supply power meters, and will have a link with the main component sponsor in doing that. “SRM is excited to debut its newest offering, the SRM Campagnolo PowerMeter to the North American professional racing scene through Bissell Pro Cycling Team in 2012,” stated the company’s sponsorship manager Amy Creed.
Moving to clothing, Giordana will provide on-bike kit and accessories, with Bell acting as helmet supplier. The riders will use the Bell Volt in most races, with the Bell Javelin available for time trial use. DMT will provide the footwear while racing and training, while Merrell will be the off-bike supplier. 1st Endurance will be the nutrition provider.
The team’s support staff will use Finish Line (bike lubrication, degreasing and cleaning products), Feedback Sports (bike work and storage stands) and Stuffitts (portable drying systems for helmets, shoes and bags).
In terms of financial backers, Bissell Homecare will continue providing the main monetary support, extending an involvement in the industry which first began in 2003 when it backed the US Postal Service team. Another long-term sponsor is the Advantage Benefits Group; its company CEO Bob Hughes got involved in the sport in the early 2000s with the ABG-Endeavor Team, and he will now be part of a new development team, Bissell-ABG-NUVO.
Home spa industry leader Emerald Spas is coming back on board after two years out of the sport, while the EmploymentGroup will continue a backing which started when Bissell took over as the title sponsor. According to CEO Mark Lancaster, backing the sport ‘fits with our company vision of ‘Delivering Success’…the team certainly did that by winning the NRC team title in 2011.”
Bissell 2012 Team Sponsors:
BISSELL Homecare Inc
Advantage Benefits Group
EmploymentGroup
Emerald Spa
Frame, Pinarello Dogma 2
Time Trial Frame, Pinarello Graal
Components, Campagnolo Record 11spd
Wheels, Easton EC90, SLX, SL, Aero, TT90
Power Meter, SRM
Saddles, Fi’zi:k
Pedals, Speedplay Zero
Bars/Stem, MOst
Tires, Vredestein
Clothing, Giordana
Shoes, DMT
Helmets, BELL
Trainers, Blackburn
Pump & Accessories, BlackBurn
Nutrition, First Endurance
Cleaning/Lubricants, Finishline
Stands/Racks, Feedback Sports
Drying system, Stuffitts
Vehicle Racks, Yakima
Casual Clothing, Merrell
Foot Fitness Performance Center
K-Edge Cycling Solutions
Speed Merchants
Echelon Cycle & Multisport