Pinarello to support Team Sky beyond 2019
(Cyclingnews.com)

Bike brand Pinarello will support Team Sky beyond 2019, convinced that team manager Dave Brailsford can find a new title sponsor to replace Sky and so keep the team alive. Pinarello has been Team Sky`s bike sponsor since the British WorldTour team was created for the 2010 season, sharing in the team`s success at the Tour de France and other races over the years. Pinarello invests close to EUR4 million per season via its sponsorship and supplies hundreds of frames, securing it a place on the Team Sky jersey and the prestige of winning Grand Tours and other major races. The Italian bike brand extended its sponsorship in 2016, with the deal set to run until the end of 2020 but on Wednesday Sky and 21st Century Fox announced they would end their sponsorship and ownership of the team.ADVERTISEMENT Dave Brailsford admitted to the BBC that potential new backers for the team had already been in touch, saying the team has a future beyond Sky. He seemed optimistic for the future despite Sky`s decision. Fausto Pinarello - the CEO of Pinarello, revealed to Cyclingnews that he had also been contacted by people interested in taking over sponsorship in 2020. He gave his full support to Brailsford, rather than look for alternative teams for his bikes. Pinarello will sponsor Axel Merckx`s Hagens Berman Axeon`s team and the Scandinavian Riwal CeramicSpeed in 2019 but will do all they can to help Brailsford keep Team Sky alive. Sky to end sponsorship after 2019 Team Sky set 2019 Tour de France as deadline to find new sponsors Team Sky created `brilliant sponsor template` but may struggle to find replacement Chris Froome: We are not finished by any means Acquadro confident Brailsford can save Team Sky Geraint Thomas: Sky pulling out is amazing opportunity for other sponsors You can read more at Cyclingnews.com