The shake-up at teamTBB continues, following the departure of Head Coach Brett Sutton, as Canadian bike brand Cervélo has confirmed that it is ending its sponsorship of teamTBB. Cervélo has been the bike sponsor of teamTBB for seven years, helping the team build a reputation as one of the most formidable pro triathlete team outfits.
The reason for Cervélo’s withdrawal is due to a new marketing strategy for the triathlon area, according to a press release. Going forwards, Cervélo will focus its attention on individual athletes and will move away from team-based sponsorships.
“Cerve?lo looks back on a very successful era in triathlon in which teamTBB has played a key role developing triathlon superstars such as Chrissie Wellington, Mary Beth Ellis, Caroline Steffen and many others,” said Cerve?lo Managing Director Robert Reijers.
“We thank teamTBB and its athletes, management and coaching staff for seven incredibly successful years culminating with two top-five pro finishes at the 2013 Ironman World Championship in Kona. Cerve?lo is proud to have supported teamTBB in achieving its vision of providing hope and opportunity through sports with successful projects in Thailand, the Philippines and Mexico.”
“teamTBB is grateful for Cerve?lo’s support,” said teamTBB co-founder Alex Bok. “In 2007, when the Cerve?lo founders decided to become one of the first sponsors of our newly established team, they saw the potential of the team. Since the start Cerve?lo has provided TeamTBB with the fastest bikes on the market, and this technical benefit has helped our athletes in the hundreds of race wins we have accumulated over the years.”
Bok added, “Both TeamTBB and Cerve?lo are interested in pursuing new directions in the sport of triathlon, and it became apparent after weeks of discussion that the best path for both of us was simply to part amicably.”
teamTBB notes that it will continue to operate a sustainable and professional sports organization that will help improve lives around the world with one new globally operating Pro Team in 2014 and five country-based elite development and age group athlete teams in countries such as the USA, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Japan.
www.cervelo.com
www.teamtbb.com
