UCI Professional Continental outfit Project 1t4i, the former Skil-Shimano team that includes young German talents John Degenkolb and Marcel Kittel on its roster, has this morning announced that it is changing its name to Team Argos-Shimano and has unveiled its new kit.
When the team was oficially presented in January, general manager and team owner Iwan Spekenbrink revealed that its sponsor would be unveiled at the end of March, explaining that the delay was due to having to tie in with the sponsor's own marketing plan. Argos Oil, which merged earlier this year with North Sea Group, has previously been involved with the team as a sub-sponsor.
In a statement today on the team website, Spekenbrink said: "I am very happy that I can finally mention the name of our new main sponsor. The entire team is awfully proud that we have succeeded in committing a European multinational who will enable us to develop further in the coming years. Moreover, we find it very important that Argos wholeheartedly underwrites our team’s core values; Team spirit (1t), Inspiration, Integrity, Improvement and Innovation (4i’s)."
Peter Goedvolk, founder of Argos and CEO of Argos North Sea Group, which has a combined anual turnover of €11 billion, commented: "We are all working hard to transform from an oil company into an all-round energy provider. For this, we are thinking far beyond oil products. In the near future, we also want to provide electricity and gas to European households.
"Especially in those countries where Argos is or wants to be active, cycling is an incredibly popular sport. Therefore, I am convinced that sponsoring this talented and ambitious cycling team is the best way to draw European consumers’ attention to the Argos brand and thereby realize our growth ambitions better and quicker."
Jan Dirks, the energu company's director for branded sales & marketing Europe added: ‘We have decided to sponsor this team because Argos and 1t4i have a lot in common.
"Both the team and us are relatively new kids on the block, operating in a mature environment. We both are very ambitious, we want to be leading in Europe by challenging established competitors with innovative concepts. And we both have the courage to stand out from the crowd."
The team has five victories to its name so far this season, four of those from Kittel including a stage of the 3 Days of De Panne earlier this week. Its new jerseys will make their race debut in Sunday's Tour of Flanders. Blogger the Inner Ring had already tweeted a picture of the new kit this morning prior to the official announcement.
Add new comment
13 comments
Liking the fact that at least it's a business from outside of the sport.
Glad they sorted a half decent name where the public actually knows what there advertising, as to the Kit personally It Sucks, looks like something from Charlie Chaplin days. I'm sure tho on the Plus+ side, it will help us, and commentators Identify the team easily...
I wish them luck..
Glad they've finally got a new sponsor, but shame the kit doesn't look as cool as the old Skil/Shimano jerseys.
Who's the bloke in the carcoat and trilby looming up behind yer man in the picture that's what I want to know? Could it be a ghostly sighting of Harry Worth*?
*You might want to Google him if you're under 40… make that 45
When will Marcel Kittel and Mark Cavendish finally "Elizabeth Duke" it out? Sorry that one's crap but I'm sure it's not the worst!
But it was
We're inviting Argos themed jokes over on Twitter (thanks to @TeamLED for the idea), come and join the fun!
Some of the best ones so far:
@rolfraehansen Team Argos' Marcel Kittel fails to win a sprint, puts it down to a catalogue of errors.
@TeamLEC Team Argos Shimano not riding #tourofflanders as their bikes are on home delivery and it takes 3 working days !
@DawnHopper when is the Argos team due at start?......not sure they could not give us time for delivery just between 8-6pm
But Project 1t4i was so catchy!
Marcel Kittel and his merry band of Argonauts... the Golden Fleece as metaphor for the maillot jaune... ah, the possibilities are endless...
*sharpens pencil*
*remembers it's 2012*
*charges laptop*
inrng posted this on twitter 40 minutes ago - http://twitpic.com/936gae
*Cough* - last paragraph
I dont recall that being there when I wrote my comment
Well I did not know that Argos were in the oil business. You learn something new...
Well I'm guessing it's not the same argos as the place where you buy crap jewellery and all the kids toys. I may be wrong though.