UCI and Shimano extend technical partnership

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The International Cycling Union (UCI) and Japanese component manufacturer Shimano have extended their existing technical partnership until the end of 2012. UCI president Pat McQuaid and Shimano Chairman Yoshizo Shimano signed the new agreement at the Eurobike trade show in Friedrichshafen, Germany on Thursday.

"Shimano is definitely one of our Federation’s most loyal and prestigious partners, and we are honoured to have been able to extend our agreement with them," said McQuaid at the signing ceremony. "The level of the services that Shimano has always provided, as well as the importance of its support to different UCI activities – beginning with the World Cycling Centre in Aigle – have, over the years, provided us with a precious ally in our daily commitment to cycling."

The new deal extends a 10-year relationship between the two parties. Since 1999 Shimano has provided technical support for competitors at UCI World Championship and World Cup events across all cycling disciplines. Shimano will now continue to provide neutral service and mechanical support at UCI events until at least the end of 2012.

"Shimano truly feels that the opportunity to extend this agreement is a special one," said Yoshizo Shimano. "We are looking forward to the continued co-operation with the UCI in the coming years with our common goal in mind: to promote the popularity of cycling all around the world in all disciplines and at all levels."

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