Swiss bike manufacturer BMC has agreed a sponsorship deal with UCI WorldTour cycling outfit Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka.
The three-year partnership with the South African-registered team is effective from January 1, 2019.
The deal has been signed with BMC having stepped away from US-registered team BMC Racing. Polish shoe and bag retail group CCC last week signed on as the new title sponsor of BMC Racing.
The new deal guarantees BMC’s future in UCI WorldTour cycling. The future of BMC on the professional circuit had been subject to debate following the death of founder Andy Rihs in April.
David Zurcher, chief executive of BMC Switzerland, said: “We are very thankful to Continuum Sports and all the riders for the success we have achieved together as the ‘BMC Racing Team’. BMC’s DNA is racing; this was driving Andy and is driving us today. We want to ensure Andy’s legacy and that of BMC continues in a sustainable and progressive manner, in line with today’s demands.
“Joining Team Dimension Data is much greater than purely ‘racing’, we will bring our credibility, building the fastest bikes in the world and combine our visions, being stronger together.”
BMC will now replace Canadian manufacturer Cervélo as Dimension Data’s bike partner. Team Dimension Data principal Douglas Ryder said: “We are delighted to be joining forces with BMC Switzerland as we take a significant step forward into the future for our team.
“BMC’s outstanding track record speaks for itself; and to be able to call on their world-leading technology starting 2019, will see us compete consistently among the very best teams on the World Tour.”