The Groupama-FDJ World Tour team will be riding Wilier racing bikes from next year. This was officially announced by the bike manufacturer on Wednesday. The traditional Italian manufacturer from Bassano del Grappa is thus replacing Lapierre. The French brand previously supplied manager Marc Madiot's team for 22 years. Some of the team's racing bikes were last used in a Auction including Thibaut Pinot's Lapierre Xelius, which he rode in his last Tour de France. The women's team FDJ-Suez, which has no connection to the Societe de Gestion de l'Echappee, the operating company of the men's team, will continue to be equipped by Lapierre.
Groupama-FDJ gets Wilier Filante SLR and Wilier Turbine SLR
Groupama-FDJ and Wilier have entered into a partnership "for the coming seasons". The bike manufacturer has not specified the duration of the contract. Wilier will provide the Groupama-FDJ pros with the Filante SLR in a special livery. This is to be unveiled on 1 January. The team led by Frenchman David Gaudu and Swiss rider Stefan Küng will also receive the Turbine SLR time trial bike.
In addition to Groupama-FDJ, the Italians are also supplying Astana Qazaqstan Team with racing bikes. "Of course, in addition to great satisfaction and a certain pride, we are also aware of the technical, logistical and financial commitment that this double World Tour sponsorship requires," Andrea Gastaldello, CEO of Wilier, is quoted as saying in the bike manufacturer's press release: "However, our company structure has grown and will certainly be able to meet all the challenges that this choice will bring from the outset."
Marc Madiot on new partnership with Wilier
Goupama team boss Marc Madiot is also full of euphoria about the new partnership. "The spirit of our technical partnerships is always to strive for joint development and to use our respective expertise to achieve more and more. That's exactly what we liked about Wilier Triestina's approach," says the Frenchman.
