London-based cycle clothing company Vulpine has decided to increase its involvement in the Matrix Fitness women’s team, and will become co-sponsor of what will be called Matrix-Vulpine in 2014. The company, only established in 2012, provided products to the British women’s team in 2013, and featured on the sleeve of the jersey, and the team’s success - particularly on the domestic calendar - has led founder Nick Hussey to increase his investment.
“I’ve always loved bike racing, and did a bit myself,” he said. “I wasn’t terribly good, so the aim went from being in a top team, to dreaming of having my logo on the jersey of one as a headline sponsor! That long term dream is realised today as we become part of the something I am hugely proud of and excited about.
“We have grand ambitions on the road, and in the wider world of cycling,” Hussey added. “We believe in positivity and drive to achieve a better supported women’s cycling overall. That is why Matrix Vulpine is so perfect for us. It’s flipping brilliant! I’m ecstatic!”
With most of its products geared towards the urban cycling market, Vulpine does not produce racing kit, and so the team’s new strip will be produced by another relatively new London-based company, Milltag.
”Many will be a little taken aback that we’re sponsoring a racing team when we don’t produce pure racing apparel,” said Hussey. “But Vulpine is supportive of all cycling and we just love racing, just one of many facets of cycling culture.
“We will be providing off bike apparel to Matrix Vulpine riders in conjunction with Milltag’s racing kit,” he explained. “The riders will be provided with pure Vulpine merino wool base layers for racing and training. Milltag are friends of ours and we share a love of cutting edge design. Fans will be able to purchase Milltag racing kit packages as well as through Milltag themselves.”
Alongside new co-sponsor Vulpine, Matrix Fitness will continue for a fifth straight year with the team, whose primary ambition for 2014 is a wild card invitation to the new Women’s Tour, the sister race to the men’s Tour of Britain. The team will also continue to ride Velocite bikes, with a new deal signed with Bontrager to supply components, wheels and apparel. Torq Fitness and Schwalbe tyres also return as partners with the team for 2014.