Giant to sponsor Argos-Shimano pro team in 2014

Giant to sponsor Argos-Shimano pro team in 2014

Bianchi to supply Belkin instead?

Sam Dansie/Future Publishing

Published: August 12, 2013 at 10:27 am

Taiwanese manufacturers Giant will provide WorldTour team Argos-Shimano with bikes in 2014, claims a report in Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

Giant currently supply the Belkin squad, who have ridden the company's bikes since 2009, when the team were sponsored by Rabobank. Belkin will switch to Bianchi bikes next season, claims the story. Bianchi's current team is Vacansoleil-DCM, who will not have a main sponsor in 2014.

American brand Felt currently sponsor Argos-Shimano, so the move might mean their presence in the professional peloton is coming to an end. Felt's Doug Martin told BikeRadar that they have "a valid contract with Team Argos-Shimano. This contract will not end at the end of 2013, as the De Telegraaf article may lead to believe, but has a substantially longer lifetime. Both parties are very happy with the partnership and are honoring the spirit and details of the agreement, each enjoying the great success of the team on their Felts in the 2013 race calendar. Felt will not engage in commenting further on rumors in the cycling world."

Both Belkin and Argos-Shimano told BikeRadar there was "no news" on the matter of bike sponsorship.