Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Saturday, December 17, 2016

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2017 Tour de France | 2017 Giro d'Italia

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others. - Audrey Hepburn

Upcoming racing:

• January 1-3: Michelton Wines Bay Cycling Classic

Latest completed racing:

• October 20-23: Abu Dhabi Tour
• October 23: Chrono des Nations
• October 23: Japan Cup
• October 22-30: Tour of Hainan

Lotto-Soudal and Sanas extend partnership

The team sent me this press release:

Lotto Soudal and Sanas have extended their partnership. Since 2015, Sanas has been supplying the team with food supplements. As of 2017, Sanas will supply the Lotto Soudal riders with more types of products, like gels, bars and isotonic drinks.

Next year, the logo of Sanas gets a spot on the front of the shirt of the U23 team and Ladies team of Lotto Soudal.

Arne Heyse, sales and marketing Sanas: “Two years ago, we chose to focus more on endurance sports and specifically on cycling. We decided to become a partner of Lotto Soudal because it’s a Belgian team that performs on the highest level. We do the production of Sanas ourselves, in Belgium, and we are proud of it. For that reason, we want to work with Belgian sportsmen and women or teams.”

“The products we sell, are the products the riders use. People know that when the products are used by a World Tour team, quality is guaranteed. The Lotto Soudal riders are very satisfied with our products and like to show that. When we became a partner in 2015, we supplied the team with food supplements. As of 2017, we have an agreement for a wider range of products. The riders will also be able to choose between a normal recovery shake and a recovery shake without carbs, which is unique for endurance sports.”

“We value the input of the riders. Together with them we have developed some new products. Functionality and quality are the main concerns. For the riders it’s important that the products they use don’t cause any health problems. They don’t care much about the taste, but that’s something we take care of when we develop new products.”

Trek recalls Bontrager bicycle lights due to injury hazard

The Consumer Product Safety Commission posted this notice:

The bicycle light can operate intermittently when paired with a remote transmitter, reducing the visibility of and for the rider, posing an injury hazard.

Units: About 600

Description: This recall involves Trek Bontrager Flare RT and Ion 700 RT bicycle lights. Both models of lights come in black. “Bontrager” and “Transmtr” are printed on the front of the Bontrager Flare RT lights and the date code is printed on the back. “Ion 700 RT,” “700 Lumen” and “Transmtr” are printed on the side of the Ion 700 RT lights and the date code is printed on the bottom under the charging port cover. The recalled lights have the following date code:

You can learn all the details of the recall here.

G. Joannou Cycles announces online sales program for Nirve Bicycles

The bike business is changing very fast. Bicycle Retailer & Industry News sent me this piece:

NORTHVALE, N.J. (BRAIN) — G. Joannou Cycles, the owner of Nirve Bicycles, has announced a new online sales program for the brand called All-Access. The Nirve line will now be available direct to consumers online with final delivery and fulfillment taking place at a local bicycle shop of the buyer's choice.

"We all know lifestyle is an important growing segment of the market," said Carine Joannou, G. Joannou's president and CEO. "When we purchased Nirve three years ago we were impressed with the strong brand dedication and related consumer website traffic. Nirve's site growth has increased every year and today receives over 8,000 unique visitors per week with an average online session of almost five minutes. These are impressive and telling numbers. However, while the interest of consumers has been strong, fulfillment has been challenging."

"We also know that since Nirve first launched in 1999 it has been through a variety of hands and sales models. It is our goal to settle this down and chart a clear, sustainable direction — one which supports the IBD and at the same time addresses consumer demand."

You can read the entire story here.

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