EF Pro Cycling will become EF Education-Nippo in 2021
EF Pro Cycling has joined the ranks of teams that will sport new names in 2021. The squad announced on Wednesday that it will race as EF Education-Nippo next season as Japanese construction company Nippo Corporation comes aboard as a co-title sponsor.
“It is the first time for Nippo Corporation to participate in the WorldTour, and we are thrilled and excited. It’s a new adventure for us,” said Hiroshi Daimon, director of sport for Nippo Corporation. “We are excited to contribute as much as possible to furthering the success of the EF Pro Cycling team across the world.”
Nippo has sponsored teams at the Continental and Pro Continental level for years. The company was title partner of the Nippo-Vini Fantini team for nine seasons before sponsoring the Nippo Delko One Provence team in 2020. Nippo’s sponsorship of the French ProTeam, which has been in the cycling headlines recently as riders have filed complaints with the UCI over unpaid wages, is expected to conclude at the end of the year. Thus far, EF has signed three current Nippo Delko One Provence for next season in Hideto Nakane, Fumiyuki Beppu, and Julien El Fares, who will arrive amid a number of comings and goings for EF.
“Our team comes from far and wide, and the same is true for our partner family. There is a freedom and freshness on our roster and in our thinking between our partners since we all come from so many different places in the world. I’m very proud of that fact,” said team CEO Jonathan Vaughters. “With Nippo Corporation joining us as a title sponsor next season, we will only add to our global approach to professional cycling and exploration.”
Daimon said via the EF announcement of the sponsorship deal that furthering the development of Japanese cycling was one of Nippo’s objectives in coming aboard.
“We hope that the Japanese athletes and technical staff, from mechanics, to soigneurs who join the team, will gain more experience and contribute to the development of Japanese cycling,” Daimon said. “We can’t wait to race as EF Education-Nippo in 2021.”
Wednesday’s announcement comes two weeks after news that Nippo, EF, and Cannondale would all be sponsors of the Nippo-Provence-PTS Continental team, a Swiss development squad headed up by former pro Robbie Hunter.
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