The WorldTour team of Britain’s David Millar will race in 2012 as Garmin-Barracuda.
Millar, a part-owner of the Slipstream Sports concern that owns and manages the outfit formerly known as Garmin-Cervélo, helped found the team and has raced for them since their debut season in 2007.
- Garmin Cervelo, seen here winning the 2011 Tour De France team time trial, will race as Garmin-Barracuda in 2012
The team’s majority owner and directeur sportif, Jonathan Vaughters, described Barracuda, an IT network provider, as a ‘perfect fit’ for the team.
“The partnership with Barracuda Networks is long-term and the company will also allow Slipstream Sports to continue to pursue other co-title sponsor opportunities,” said Vaughters.
Cervélo will continue to supply bikes to the team. The Canadian bike builder has recently entered a purchasing agreement with Dutch company, Pon Holdings BV.
Phil White, CEO of Cervélo, said his firm would continue to supply bikes to the team for the next three years.
“We’d like to thank Slipstream for giving us the second team name in 2011 when they had no obligation to do so,” he said.
Garmin-Barracuda will begin their season this weekend at the Santos Tour Down Under, which kicks off with the Down Under Classic on Sunday (15).
The race will provide the first opportunity to see the riders in the 2012 team kit, supplied by Italian cycle clothing firm, Castelli. Replica kit will be available from February.
The kit is showcased by Christophe Le Mével in Garmin’s stunning new ad (see the video below) for the company’s Edge 800 GPS computer.
Slipstream Sports launched its top-tier team in 2007 on a platform of developing clean riders, and has maintained a tough anti-doping stance.
The team’s long-term commercial partner, electronics firm, Garmin, will remain joint title sponsor in 2012.
