Cannondale team becomes Cannondale-Drapac ahead of the Tour de France

Drapac joins Cannondale team as co-title-sponsor of the US-based WorldTour outfit ahead of the 2016 Tour de France

Cannondale-Drapac jersey

Cannondale Pro Cycling will be known as Cannondale-Drapac Pro Cycling frome the 2016 Tour de France and beyond in a co-sponsorship deal announced on Thursday. The deal with the US-registered team will run for five years.

American-based property funds management business Drapac Capital Partners currently sponsors a Professional Continental level outfit, but the company's sponsorship of a WorldTour-level team means that they have fulfilled their goal of riding in the Tour.

In addition to adding its name to the Cannondale team, Drapac also becomes a 'substantial' shareholder in the squad's owner, Slipstream Sports.

>>> Tour de France 2016: Latest news, reports and info

"Michael Drapac and I have been friends for some time," said Slipstream CEO Jonathan Vaughters. "I have always been impressed with his entrepreneurial vision and understanding of markets. However, what piqued my interest in partnering with Michael is his passion for helping athletes find their way through life in a healthier way."

"Although it’s seldom acknowledged, most professional cyclists have given up everything in order to pursue excellence in their sport. While commendable, this leaves them very vulnerable to an ever more complex world."

The existing Drapac team will continue as Continental-level Drapac-Pat's Veg in 2017, and act as a development feeder squad for the WorldTour entity. Riders on the team will be required to also attend university or complete a higher-level qualification in addition to learning about the world of professional cycling.

>>> Orica-BikeExchange reveal new kit ahead of the Tour de France

"We need to teach our athletes to be whole," said Michael Drapac, chairman and founder of Drapac Capital Partners. "When the door of being an athlete closes, you would hope that they have the resources — financial and emotional — to transition to another phase of their lives. We need to understand that the human cost of professional sport is just horrific. That’s why I created the holistic development team."

The Cannondale-Drapac team kit features the red logo of the new sponsor, but retains the green Argyle design.

The Australian Orica-GreenEdge team also announced a change in co-title-sponsor for the Tour, becoming Orica-Bike Exchange.

Cannondale-Drapac Pro Cycling 2016 Tour de France team

Matti Breschel (Den)

Lawson Craddock (USA)

Alex Howes (USA)

Kristijan Koren (Slo)

Sebastian Langeveld (Ned)

Ramunas Navardauskas (Ltu)

Pierre Rolland (Fra)

Tom-Jelte Slagter (Ned)

Dylan Van Baarle (Ned)

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Nigel Wynn
Former Associate Editor

Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.