Title sponsored team disbands, but clothing company signs with women’s off-road squad
Though it got out of the game as the title sponsor of a professional cycling team at the end of this year, Champion System continues to support pro cycling teams, adding Team LUNA Chix, the women’s off-road team, as a provider of its custom clothing.
Champion System is already the clothing provider for pro teams Lampre-Merida and SmartStop-Mountain Khakis.
Founded in 2005, Champion System has offices in 22 countries, and specializes in custom clothing and apparel for cycling and numerous other sports.
By becoming a provider for LUNA, Champion System now outfits Georgia Gould, 2012 Olympic bronze medalist in the mountain bike, as well as Czech cyclocross star Katerina Nash.
Nash has been on fire during her cyclocross season in the United States, most recently winning the Cross After Dark series overall. Before that, she swept all three races in the Jingle Cross Rock event in Iowa.
“We are thrilled to sponsor one of the longest running and most successful women’s teams,” said Champion System vice-president Charlie Issendorf, according to Bicycle Retailer and Industry News. “The Luna team and their ambassadors truly represent today’s female athlete and developing high performance custom technical apparel for women has always been a priority for us. It’s a great partnership for us that will lead to improved garments for all our customers.”
Along with MTB and cyclocross, LUNA has teams that compete in Xterra and triathlon, which Champion System will also sponsor.
“Beyond the obvious benefits of the best fabrics and construction, the deciding factor for us was Champion System's quick turn around on short-run and championship kits,” LUNA manager Dave McLaughlin stated.
“With the success of our program and the variety of disciplines we compete in, it's important for us to have almost immediate access to national and world cup and, on a good year, world champion's kits, without a long delay. Beyond that, the comprehensive selection of styles, as well as Champion System’s willingness to solicit input from the LUNA pros to improve and develop their women's line, is important to a team like ours when competing in disciplines ranging from snowy cyclocross races in eastern Europe, to Xterra races in Hawaii, and everything in between.”