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SCICON Cuts Astana Contract Over ‘Ethics’: Mark Cavendish Won’t Wear Its Glasses

mark cavendish riding his bike in 2010Mark Cavendish sporting Oakleys in 2010. SCICON responded sharply to his decision to keep wearing the glasses as an Astana rider. Photo c. Troye Owens via Flickr
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SCICON has dropped the entire Astana team from its sponsorship roster. That’s because the recently-signed Mark Cavendish will not wear the Italian sunglasses — instead opting for the shades of his longtime sponsor, Oakley.

In a Monday statement, SCICON CEO Heinrich Dannhauser made the brand’s position clear in terms of “ethics.”

“It is unfortunate that individual riders can compromise sponsorship agreements in this way. It is even more unfortunate that a team would not stand up for what is ethically the right thing to do – honoring the agreement and recognizing the significant investments that were made by SCICON,” Dannhauser said. “We took a strong stance in this case and could not make an exception for one rider.”

The CEO went on to put “all sponsors of professional cycling” on notice regarding SCICON’s decision.

SCICON operated as Astana’s gear partner for two years, after first appearing on the UCI circuit three years ago. The deal included eyewear, luggage, and bike bags, according to the brand.

SCICON avoided naming Oakley, Cavendish’s longtime sunglass sponsor, in its release. Cyclingnews reported the sponsorship conflict previously led to “tensions” during the Kazakh team’s negotiations with the Manxman. And now, the outlet said, other members of the Astana lineup have been spotted wearing Oakley.

SCICON, meanwhile, reportedly prepares to sue Astana for damages over breach of contract.

“Many of the world’s best riders use SCICON eyewear,” Dannhauser said, referring to the likes of Tadej Pogacar and Australian Criterium National Champion Amber Pate. “This unfortunate situation will not deter us at a time when there are very exciting developments in our business and so much to look forward to.”

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DaveJ
DaveJ
11 months ago

Contractual obligations and ‘ethics’ aside, perhaps Scicon should take the hint here….

joby
joby
11 months ago

never heard of them before now…

Len
Len
11 months ago
Reply to  joby

There bike bags are incredible. I had one for several years. They are an Italian company t that makes high end products.

Jamie
11 months ago
Reply to  joby

You have, just not for sunglasses. Any photo of riders traveling in airports with roller bags, most likely Scicon.

jdwg
jdwg
11 months ago

Astana and ethics… (insert laughing emoji here)

K-Pop is dangerous to your health
K-Pop is dangerous to your health
11 months ago

The irony in this is that the feature pic of Cav riding for Columbia HTC a decade ago his wheels are Highroad badged HED, not the Shimano sets that were the main groupset and wheel sponsor. Did Shimano drop sponsorship? Nope. Are wheels more important that sunglasses in terms of equipment sponsorship? Absolutely. Sounds a bit melodramatic from SCICON to proclaim a breach of “ethics” over what shades a rider prefers.

Mark
Mark
11 months ago

ethics and asthana…lol. Since when did corporation become poetic…

Roger Pedacter
Roger Pedacter
11 months ago

The CEO went on to put “all sponsors of professional cycling” on notice regarding SCICON’s decision.

Yeah, I’m sure anyone else who sponsors pro-cycling is shaking in their boots at being put on blast by him. I know I’ve had to reconsider all my associations with the pro peloton…

DRC
DRC
11 months ago

LOL this guy killed a whole contract because one of the biggest names in pro cycling didn’t want to give up his own 15 year old sponsorship deal? Believe me, I wasn’t going to stop wearing Oakleys and switch to Scicon because Cav was forced to.

Am I Rita Rudner funny?
Am I Rita Rudner funny?
11 months ago

It looks like Scicon is just throwing shade. The Cavendish it out but can they take it themselves (yuck yuck yuck yuck yuck)

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