PHILADELPHIA, PA (BRAIN)—Fuji Bicycles will now sponsor the new professional cycling team Geox-TMC in 2011 as part of a multi-year agreement between the team, supported by Italian shoe manufacturer Geox and TMC Transformers (a leading brand in electric cast resin transformers) and the U.S.-based bicycle manufacturer.
In an agreement signed in August between Geox president Mario Moretti Polegato and Footon-Servetto general manager Mauro Gianetti, the Italian shoe company will take over as primary sponsor of Gianetti’s current squad, while Fuji Bicycles will continue as bike supplier. Geox will also have a women's team in 2011 with Fuji Bicycles as bike supplier. Additionally, Geox will support a Belgian-American amateur squad (in 2010 Fuji Test Team) that will serve as the ProTour team’s satellite program.
Pat Cunnane, president of Advanced Sports International, parent company of Fuji Bicycles said the new sponsorship agreement is a positive step forward for the Fuji Bicycle brand. "We have worked with Mauro Gianetti for several years now as sponsors of the Fuji-Servetto and Footon-Servetto teams and we are very pleased to partner with him again for 2011 and beyond,” said Cunnane.
“The power racing in the Pro Tour has clearly been a major benefit to our brands ( Fuji and Oval Concepts), as well as to our suppliers’ brands,” Cunnane said. “We've shown our products can survive the rigors and punishment of the Tour de France, the Tour of Flanders and other major races under some of the best riders in the world and because of that we have gained immense credibility.”
The Geox-TMC pro squad as well as the amateur team will be riding Fuji ’s new ultralight road bike, the innovative Altamira. The elite women’s team, formerly the Safi-Pasta Zara team based in Italy , will be racing on Fuji ’s new women’s-specific carbon road model, the Supreme. All three teams will race on Fuji ’s D-6 time trial bike.
Mauro Gianetti, general manager of Team Geox-TMC said, “The debut of the Geox brand in cycling is a project that wants to create more than just a cycling team. The objectives are not just to achieve important sporting results, the promotion of the Geox brand at an international level, the discovery and development of young talent but also the application of the patented technology of Geox for breathability. And we are confident that this continuing partnership with the Fuji Bicycle brand, already our great sponsor for two years, will enable us to reach our goals for the team."
PHOTO: L-R: Mauro Gianetti, Mauro Gianetti, general manager Team Geox-TMC; Pat Cunnane, President of Advanced Sports International, Diana Zilute, manager Team Diadora-Pasta Zara, Karen Bliss, VP Marketing President of Advanced Sports International,Giuseppe Palumbo, President Team Geox-TMC, Maurizio Fabretto, President, Team Diadora-Pasta Zara
