In 2024 and the years to come, Team Visma | Lease a Bike's position as the dominant force in the peloton may be seriously under threat by BORA - hansgrohe following the purchase of a 51% stake in the team by global drinks conglomerate, Red Bull.
“It depends on their strategy and what they want in cycling but it’s really good for our sport that big companies are entering cycling,” Team Visma | Lease a Bike sports director, Merijn Zeeman tells GCN about the potential added challenger to the fold.
As seen by Red Bull's investment in their Formula 1 and football teams, when they go into something, they usually get it right. Nevertheless, Zeeman insists that his Team Visma | Lease a Bike aren't worried by the BORA - hansgrohe threat. Instead welcoming Red Bull to the sport and hoping a rising tide can lift all boats.
“It says a lot about the positioning of cycling in the global side of sports. Previously I think that Red Bull were a bit hesitant about entering cycling because of the doping past but now they have the belief that the sport is in a very good place," Zeeman concludes. "That’s good news for all of us and it’s a big signal to other really big companies to enter the sport. If Red Bull wants to do it then it’s clear that they think cycling can grow. I really think that it’s a good thing.”
News: The partnership between Red Bull and BORA - hansgrohe is able to be implemented as planned. The Austrian antitrust authority has no objections. Further details will be presented during the season. More 👉 bora-hansgrohe.com/en/news/RedBul… 📸 Sprintcycling
