Shimano and 2015 Tour de France winners Team Sky agree two-year partnership extension

Shimano has announced the extension of its multiple Grand Tour winning partnership with Team Sky. 

The 2015 Tour de France winners will use Shimano Dura-Ace groupsets, as well as PRO Vibe finishing kit during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. 

Moreover, Team Sky will work with Shimano’s engineering teams to create new products, driving the development of elite cycling components and technologies, which make their way into components for riders throughout Shimano's product line up.

Shimano has supported Team Sky since the team’s inception in 2009. During that time Team Sky has achieved a number of stunning results including three Tour de France wins and two World Championships. 

This renewed partnership will aim to help Team Sky continue that trend with the provision of Shimano wheels, chainsets, pedals and brakes along with PRO handlebars, seat posts and stems. 

With cutting edge aerodynamic designs, proven lightweight carbon constructions and Di2 electronic gear shifting integration, Shimano Dura-Ace and PRO Vibe components are designed to be the most technologically advanced cycling products available on the market, allowing the rider to gain the best electronic and mechanical advantages available and get the maximum out of their power input. 

Carsten Jeppesen, Team Sky Technical Director, said: “Shimano is simply a fantastic cycle component brand to work with. From the super accurate shifting of its Dura Ace groupsets to its wheelsets and brakes, the components are superb right across the board. I'm incredibly relieved to have our riders on Shimano in 2016. 

“Shimano share a similar ethos to Team Sky - performance, engineering expertise and technological innovation - so it's a huge benefit to be able to continue our work with their product development team too.

Shimano Europe's Marketing Director Richard Keeskamp: "Team Sky´s professional set up and incredible performances are very much in line with how we work and what we value at Shimano. 

“The team provides one of the toughest quality tests of Shimano Dura-Ace and PRO components, allowing us to continuously improve our cycling products. Products such as the PRO three-spoke wheel are stunning examples of this product development partnership in action. We are delighted to continue this co-creation relationship, marking the eighth year of support for Team Sky." 

Shimano Dura-Ace and PRO Vibe series components will continue to be found on Team Sky’s bikes from the start of the 2016 season, which kicks off with the first World Tour race, the Santos Tour Down Under, between 16th-24th January 2016.