The year 2024 will mark a milestone in the world of cycling with the arrival of an iconic name: Team Polti Kometa. Ivan Basso and Alberto Contador lead this exciting project in a change of Polti's main sponsor from the former EOLO-KOMETA.
The companies behind this new equipment are Polti, a leader in steam appliances for home and professional ironing and cleaning, and Kometa, an agri-food company specializing in the processing of pork and poultry, which has been a loyal partner of the Alberto Contador Foundation since 2017.
The news of Polti's return to cycling has been widely expected. The brand was a leading figure in the world of cycling for 17 years, from 1983 to 2000. Polti's collaboration with Ivan Basso and Alberto Contador marks a new beginning, consolidating an ambitious and future-oriented project.
Kometa joined the team in 2017 and has become a key pillar of the team's identity. "I am delighted with the renewal of our partnership with Kometa," says Fran Contador, General Manager. This is Kometa's eighth consecutive year as a co-sponsor of the Alberto Contador Foundation project. Fran Contador points out that this partnership has been instrumental not only in the sporting arena but also in the development of cycling in Hungary, which enabled the team's promotion to the Continental category in 2018.
"Team Polti Kometa starts its new stage with the history of Polti behind it, which adds to the prestige of this project", highlights Fran Contador. This three-season partnership not only strengthens the team's objectives but also reinforces its dynamics since the transition to the ProTeam category.
Francesca Polti, CEO of Polti, shares her enthusiasm: "I am pleased to follow in my father's footsteps and represent a second generation that still believes in this sport. Our ambition goes beyond brand visibility, we want to be a point of reference for young cyclists and, who knows, maybe even for female cyclists in the future."
Giacomo Pedranzini, CEO of Kometa, highlights the evolution of the project: "We celebrate eight seasons together with the Contador Foundation, during which we have consolidated our history with determination and perseverance. Now, Polti joins us, bringing its rich legacy and opening up new possibilities. Together, we will continue to nurture athletes and new generations through cycling, promoting values such as dedication, sacrifice and team spirit."
Ivan Basso also shares his vision for the future: "It's a very proud moment for me. Bringing Polti back to cycling is a dream come true. With the constant support of Kometa and now Polti, we are ready to take the team to new heights of excellence and establish it as a benchmark in the world of cycling." The combination of experience and passion of these two entrepreneurs, along with the clear objective of pushing cycling forward and discovering the next generation of champions, promises an exciting future for Team Polti Kometa.
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Article by Juan Larra.
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A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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