The London Eye was the site of the historic launch of the Sport Beans Wilier classic race team. (You can also read a full report on the launch here at London Cycle Sport http://www.londoncyclesport.com/ )
US confecionery giant Jelly Belly Candy Co joined forces with the Italian cycle manufacturer to launch the team’s challenge for the Premier Calendar Series this year.
And they chose the largest bike wheel in the world to show off the team – captained by former national champion Ben Luckwell – to the press and cycle enthusiasts alike.
Several of the company’s top American executives flew in from the US for the launch including Bob Simpson, the president. He said: “The Sport Beans-Wilier Team is a great combination of youth and experience – bringing together enthusiasm and ambition. And a what a superb place for a launch, high above London on a gloriously clear day.”
Cycle journalists from national newspapers and specialist magazines, and web sites, joined a press corps that included Eurosport TV representatives and a crew from the Cycling Channel all eager to get a glimpse of the new line up.
The first race takes place on February 10 and the team’s Polish wonderboy Marcin Bialoblocki is hotly tipped to take top honours.
Wilier’s Colin Bath said: “If Marcin can take this race and get us a win first time out it will be incredible. We’ll just have to wait and see how he and the Le Roi bikes perform on the day.”