A cycling team in Italy has announced its new sponsor - and it's one of the world’s biggest adult entertainment websites.
Houston, Texas-based xHamster, ranked by Alexa as one of the world’s 100 most popular websites – and the third biggest pornography site – will this season sponsor Promosport Racing, founded in 2013 by three keen cyclists.
The team, based in Moncalieri just outside Turin, mainly focuses on downhill mountain biking, including competing in the Italian Cup, and also won its regional cyclo-cross championship last year.
"[We] tend to believe that cycling, as xHamster, is all about passion, commitment and a great deal of teamwork. It`s about accepting the challenges and exceeding the limits, while working in a team of professionals whom you can undoubtedly trust. That`s the reason why we stand behind the sponsorship of Promosport Racing team", said xHamster in a press release.
Promosport Racing’s Vice President, Federicio Silvi, said, "It takes a viable brand for a viable team, and we couldn`t expect a better adding for season 2016! We are incredibly excited to have xHamster among our main sponsors".
xHamster says its “goal is to raise awareness in the community about safe sex and the health of men and women around the world.”
It's not the first time we've mentioned Italy and pornography in close proximity this week - legendary sprinter Mario Cipollini, who posted a picture of himself on Wednesday wearing a cycle helmet and little else, once said that if he hadn't become a cyclist he'd have liked to have been a porn star.
> Cipollini baits helmet lobby - by wearing one, and nothing else
Simon has been news editor at road.cc since 2009, reporting on 10 editions and counting of pro cycling’s biggest races such as the Tour de France, stories on issues including infrastructure and campaigning, and interviewing some of the biggest names in cycling. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, his background has proved invaluable in reporting on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, and the bike industry. He splits his time between London and Cambridge, and loves taking his miniature schnauzer Elodie on adventures in the basket of her Elephant Bike.