The new Irish Pro Continental team Aqua Blue Sport has revealed it will ride Ridley bikes next year.
The team will primarily be riding the Ridley Noah SL in competition during the 2017 and 2018 seasons although Austrian climbing specialist Stefan Denifl has opted for the new Ridley Helium SLX as his superlight bike of choice. For team and individual time trials, the riders will be aboard the Ridley Dean Fast. As with all Ridley bikes, the Aqua Blue Sport team fleet is designed and manufactured in Belgium.
All bikes will be equipped with Shimano Dura Ace Di2 group sets. Aqua Blue Sport previously confirmed US manufacturer Knight Composites as suppliers of its race wheels for 2017, with the team to ride the full range of Knight clincher wheels in 35mm, 65mm and 95mm depths, built with Aivee SR5 hubs, Sapim CX Ray spokes and Schwalbe Pro One tyres.
Additional equipment sponsors also include fi’zi:k (saddles and bar tape); SRM (power meters); Look (pedals and cleats); Giro (helmets); Rapha (eyewear); Elite (turbo trainers, bottles and cages); Scicon (travel equipment) and Secret Training (performance nutrition).
Stephen Moore, Aqua Blue Sport General Manager commented: “We are hugely excited to announce this two-year partnership with Ridley bikes and honoured to be working with a brand that has spent almost 20 years at the forefront of innovation, while staying resolutely true to its roots. The Ridley Noah SL, Helium SLX and Dean Fast represent a unique blend – marrying cutting edge technology and the latest developments in carbon fibre and aerodynamics with the hard-earned experience of professional racing.”
