STOCKHOLM, Sweden (BRAIN) — Swedish helmet and eyewear maker POC has signed on as sponsor of the Garmin-Sharp Pro Tour team for the next three years. POC will supply helmets and eyewear to the team starting this month.
Riders will be outfitted with the Octal, Octal Aero and the Tempor TT helmet. The team will choose from a number of different eyewear frames, from the DID to the soon-to-be-released DO Blades. Garmin-Sharp will deviate from POC’s traditionally bright orange color, donning both helmets and eyewear in “Garminum Blue.” Garmin-Sharp riders will use the highly visible orange version of the Octal helmet when training.
POC previewed its AVIP (Attention, Visibility, Interaction and Protection) road helmet, apparel and eyewear lines last summer to a select group of retailers and media. The lines were unveiled at the fall trade shows.
The company launched its first product, an award-winning ski and snowboard helmet, in 2005. It later branched into mountain bike helmets and protective gear. In 2012 POC was acquired by Black Diamond, a maker of premium climbing and outdoor gear that is based in Salt Lake City, for about $43.5 million.
“We are now entering the road bike scene and we need to go all in and support our mission of doing everything we can to possibly save lives and reduce the consequences of accidents, and at the same time assist with performance through advances in technology,” said Stefan Ytterborn, CEO and founder of POC. “With Team Garmin-Sharp’s spirit, values and attitude, we have found a perfect partner. Together we will come up with even better, safer and faster products for the team and in their quest to win, but also benefit road cyclists around the world who will be able to use the same products and innovations for training and racing.”
“We pride ourselves in working with best-in-class partners to develop equipment that helps our riders perform at their best. POC is another great example of a superior partnership and we are thrilled to add them to the Slipstream family,” said Jonathan Vaughters, CEO, Slipstream Sports and Team Garmin-Sharp.
![POC's DO Blade in Garminum Blue]( "POC's DO Blade in Garminum Blue")
POC's DO Blade in Garminum Blue![POC's Tempor TT helmet in Garminum Blue]( "POC's Tempor TT helmet in Garminum Blue")
POC's Tempor TT helmet in Garminum Blue![POC's Octal Aero helmet in Garminum Blue]( "POC's Octal Aero helmet in Garminum Blue")
POC's Octal Aero helmet in Garminum Blue![Team Garmin-Sharp's 2014 jersey]( "Team Garmin-Sharp's 2014 jersey")
Team Garmin-Sharp's 2014 jersey
