While we suspected as much, given the Nissan stickers on the team bike photos, now it’s official: Nissan is an official sponsor of Team RadioShack.
Since Nissan doesn’t have a wagon (at least not in the U.S. market), it’ll be interesting to see what they use for team cars. The Maxima is pretty sweet looking, but it’s no Jaguar, so our vote is the Murano (hence the photo mock-up). I’ve owned one before, and they’re great cars. The back seats are roomy enough for tall peeps, so the media types, assistants, Robin Williams and Ben Affleck Stiller can ride in comfort as they trail Lance. Plus, they’ll be able to see over the other team cars.
The official press release is after the break, which hints at some forthcoming electric vehicle tech from Nissan…
PRESS RELEASE: Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today announced an agreement with Lance Armstrong, seven-time winner of the Tour de France and founder of the LIVESTRONG Charitable Foundation, to sponsor his new Team RadioShack pro cycling team. The multi-year partnership includes the use of a variety of Nissan products as the official vehicle of the team.
Team RadioShack consists of 25 professional riders from around the world, including Armstrong – many of them considered among the strongest competitors in cycling today. The team will compete in an extensive schedule of professional cycling races worldwide in 2010, including the Tour de France and the Tour of California.
“There’s a powerful alignment between cycling enthusiasts’ interests and Nissan’s in terms of performance, durability and sustainability – whether their favorite ride has two wheels or four,” said Christian Meunier, vice president, Nissan Marketing, NNA. “It is a solid platform to launch many exciting products here in the United States and around the globe.”
Nissan, which already enjoys a strong presence in the health, wellness and personal fitness arena with its Sports Illustrated College Football and Rodale Fitness partnerships, also plans to actively support Team RadioShack at the Tour of California, Tour of Missouri, Tour de France and other major Pro Cycling events around the globe. The company views the partnership as a way to connect with the more than 21 million cyclists in the United States and the 40 million cycling fans that attended live events around the world in 2009.
“We’re very excited to have Nissan join as a partner of Team RadioShack. Team vehicles and new technologies play a key role in the success of any professional cycling team and we look forward to using Nissan products as we race around the world,” said Armstrong.
“We know that Nissan has some cutting-edge product launches on the horizon and we look forward to an excellent and winning partnership with our new Nissan friends for many years to come,” he continued.
“The connection between health, wellness and sustainable mobility, such as Nissan supports with the upcoming Nissan LEAF(TM) electric vehicle and our Green Program 2010, is a natural. Nissan has been a proud supporter of the LIVESTRONG Challenge and looks forward to working together with the LIVESTRONG Foundation and their fight against cancer,” added Meunier.
