Following last week’s news that the Saxo Bank company wishes to prolong its backing of the eponymous team, Bjarne Riis’ squad has announced further agreements going forward.
Three new technical backers have been announced, namely CeramicSpeed, X-Sauce and TechNiche.
The first of those provides ceramic bearings to the team, which serve to reduce friction of some of the moving mechanical parts. CeramicSpeed has inked a deal for both 2011 and 2012.
The other two companies have signed an agreement for 2011. X-Sauce is a anti-puncture sealant which is applied inside the tyres and quickly seals most punctures, enabling the rider to continue without needing to take a wheel change. According to founder David Garcia Ayensa, it has already been used with success in a major race.
“This year's Giro was a great example that X-Sauce brings peace and tranquillity to the whole team and especially the riders and their mechanics during stages,” he said.
TechNiche is also on board for the remainder of 2011. It will supply various products which will be used to cool riders’ core temperatures before, during and after physical exertion. Such cooling has been shown by physiologists to be advantageous as it allows more of the body’s energy to be channelled into driving the body forward rather than coping with the effects of heat.
Team owner Bjarne Riis emphasised the importance of each of the technical additions, saying that they were part of the ongoing effort to
“It has always been my belief that in order to become the world's greatest cycling team and in order to keep that position, you have to have the best equipment and gear at your disposal all the time,” he said. “That is why we constantly try to be at the forefront of every little detail of our equipment, and that is why our technical partners play such an important role for the team.”
The squad is aiming to win its second Tour de France in four years. Defending champion Alberto Contador is leading the team and will have the complete backing of the Saxo Bank SunGard setup during the three week campaign.
He’ll also have the backing of those three companies, which stand to gain a considerable boost in terms of exposure if he takes the final yellow jersey.