GreenEDGE Cycling’s UCI Continental team will continue under a new look and name – Mitchelton-BikeExchange – in 2018.
The Chinese-registered outfit will wear a similarly designed Giordana jersey to the WorldTour men’s and women’s teams but with a distinctive Chinese colouring.
Mitchelton continue their sponsorship of the team despite their additional contribution to become naming-rights sponsors of the WorldTour outfits next year.
“Whilst the WorldTour sponsorships gives us world-wide promotion, we have already seen throughout 2017 that the Continental team can give us more direct promotion in Asia,” general manager Andrew Ryan explained.
“We look forward to promoting our estate to this market and welcoming even more international guests to our new Mitchelton Hotel and Day Spa.”
“BikeExchange are very happy to be re-partnering with this great team and culture,” BikeExchange CEO Mark Watkin said.
“We have been fortunate to be a part of the growth within the cycling industry for over 10 years, now operating across eight countries; through our media platforms we want to share the beautiful sport of cycling further.
“The partnership will once again help tell the BikeExchange story; supporting retailers, brands and riders to find buy and sell everything bike.”
The team has already announced four riders for the 2018 season, including the return of Australian’s Sam Jenner and Harry Sweeney and the addition of Briton Jacob Hennessy and Colombian Brayan Chaves, brother of Esteban Chaves. Selections are currently underway for the Chinese contingent of riders, with further announcements expected in the coming days.
“We are thrilled to welcome back BikeExchange and Mitchelton as major partners of our organisation,” GreenEDGE Cycling’s owner Gerry Ryan said. “It’s a pleasure to work with innovative Australian companies that are quickly advancing into real, global establishments.”
“After a very successful debut season, that included 42 podiums and 10 victories, we are excited to take this team to another level in 2018. It’s Chinese essence with remain, and we are excited to sign the country’s most exciting young talent, but we are also happy to add a more international element with the signings of Jacob and Brayan.”
The team will debut the new look at this week’s Australian Championships.
