Dutch sustainable energy firm WM3 Energie has agreed a five-season deal to become title sponsor of new UCI Women’s World Tour cycling team Fortitude Pro Cycling.
The agreement will run across the 2017 to 2021 seasons of the World Tour, with the team now set to be known as WM3 Pro Cycling. Fortitude Pro Cycling was initially formed in September and will succeed the Rabo-Liv outfit.
In December 2015, Dutch banking and financial services group Rabobank announced that it would withdraw its sponsorship of top-level sport, including Rabo-Liv, at the end of 2016.
Peter van Tuijl, spokesman for WM3 Energie, said: “We are not focused on the private market, where there is enough movement, we rather just concentrate on SMEs. Relatively little is happening in that sector, in terms of sustainability, and there is enormous potential with respect to energy conservation.
“We see a terrific goal for ourselves and we are working towards it, step by step. Just like the team is; with its sustainable mission in sports, with the ultimate green transport machine – the bicycle. The idea of training riders and them being a source of inspiration for the growing group of recreational and sports cyclists, really appeals to us.”
WM3 Pro Cycling will be spearheaded by leading Dutch rider Marianne Vos (pictured), who will be joined by the likes of Anouska Koster, Kasia Niewiadoma and Valentina Scandolara.