Ricco advert
I am sure that for many of you it will come as no surprise that NorthWave has decided to suspend it's sponsorship agreement. Rico's positive test during this years Tour de France and then confession to CONI led to this position.
In a statement from Northwave they say, "The recent occurrences involving professional and Italian cycling have led Northwave to revaluate its position towards certain professional cyclists." Whether this means we will see other riders being released from contracts this is unclear, but it is clear that the company will no longer tolerate their brand being associated with any sporting fraud. The company goes on further to say that ". . . hopes problems with performance enhancement drug use will soon be controlled and issues will be resolved by the principal organizations."
Aerlite SBS
Northwave must now be looking for athletes who offer a clean dope free profile. As one of their other high profile sponsored athletes has been involved in a non sporting drug incident, it has not been a good year for the Italian sports brand.
On a lighter note while watching the Tour it was then I realised that George Hincapie had switched brands and is now using their shoes. I expect that NW will look to athletes of his ilk to bring back the brand profile to where it should be.
advert with Boonen:
A closing statement from NW "The recent events do not only damage the reputation of the sport, but also the validity companies put towards their affiliated athletes. Northwave would like to once again, state its intention to fight, within its abilities, the practice of counterfeit cycling and doping practices in the sport."
