The 2018 season is officially underway. The WorldTour opener in Australia, plus racing in Mallorca and Argentina have given us our first taste of racing for the year, and showcased the latest specification team bikes.
The 18 WorldTour teams from last season all remain in place for the new campaign, marking a very different state of affairs to the beginning of 2017, when Tinkoff and IAM Cycling had folded and Lampre had morphed into UAE Team Emirates, while Bahrain-Merida had just entered existence and Bora-Hansgrohe had made the step up from Pro Continental level.
This stability into the new season continues with sponsors and team partnerships. Only two teams have changed title sponsors and each of the 18 teams have stuck by their existing frame and groupset providers from last year.
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When it comes to wheels, finishing kit and other component choices however, several teams have made key changes and each follows a distinctive trend towards adopting their existing sponsors’ in-house brands.
Giant and Team Sunweb
Giant are the former title sponsors of Team Sunweb, as well as the largest bicycle manufacturer in the world. During the 2017 season, Sunweb paired their Giant frames with handlebars, stems, saddles, computers and handlebar tape from the Taiwanese company.
Power meter party
Handlebars, stems and finishing kit
Are more holistic builds contributing to performance or bottom lines?
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest Interviews and Features http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/more-integration-leaving-little-room-at-the-top-for-component-specialists
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