Giant Announces Title Sponsorship of Former Argos-Shimano Team

The former Argos-Shimano team have a new backer with Giant expanding their deal to title sponsor.

The Taiwanese bike manufacturer has filled a void left by the departure of Argos at the end of 2013 and the squad will now be called Giant-Shimano.

Giant had already agreed a “multi-year” contract to supply the team’s bikes from 2014, but stepped their support up when a deal with a previous prospective title sponsor, widely thought to be an American charity, fell through.

The company will also sponsor the team’s development squad, as well as the women’s squad, which includes British two-time junior world champion Lucy Garner. The women’s team will carry the name of Giant’s women’s cycling brand, Liv, on their jerseys.

Giant-Shimano general manager Iwan Spekenbrink said: “By stepping up after our planned title sponsor departed, Giant is demonstrating their belief in the superior results, global reach and integrity we have established over the last several years.”

The team has unveiled its 2014 kit, with a mainly white Argos-Shimano jersey being replaced by a white, black and blue design.