CHARLOTTE, NC (BRAIN)—Starting in the 2010 season, Team Quick Step cyclists will be riding bicycles produced by Eddy Merckx Cycles. The agreement is for three years.
“We want to grow from being a family SME to an international business," said Pieter Vansynghel, CEO of Eddy Merckx Cycles. "The return of the bicycle brand in the Pro tour is a logical next step within this growth pattern. We have strongly invested in the development of new, high-end racing bikes, the reorganization of the distribution and the optimization of logistics."
Team Quick Step had been with Specialized for the last three years.
“The biggest benefit we get from sponsoring pro racing is the ability to build better products because the best riders push us to continually improve and take on new challenges," said Mike Sinyard, president of Specialized. "Team Quick Step has helped us create bikes and equipment that are now available to every rider, straight from the shop. We are so grateful to the team and riders for these contributions."
Specialized will announce shortly who it's partnering with for the 2010 Pro Tour season.
