KOBLENZ, Germany (BRAIN) — Germany-based consumer-direct bike brand Canyon will sponsor a top-level women's professional road racing team in 2016.
Canyon has sponsored several men's pro teams in the past, including Katusha and Movistar for the past two seasons. For 2016, the brand is working with long-time sports director Ronny Lauke, who is currently the manager of the Velocio-SRAM women's team, which is being shut down at the end of this season.
Lauke will be team manager of the new Canyon-sponsored team. Beth Duryea, currently director sportif of the Velocio-SRAM team, will also join the new Canyon team organization.
Frank Aldorf, Canyon's chief brand officer, said, "We don't do things by half at Canyon and with Ronny we have found the right partner. He has built a team for the past few years, which is already in the world's elite. We believe firmly in a successful partnership and are looking forward to start the Olympic year together."
Canyon said the full team line-up and additional sponsor will be announced at a later date.