Wednesday 30 July 2014 17:55, UK
The future of the Dutch UCI WorldTour team Belkin has been secured after two new sponsorship deals were provisionally agreed.
American technology company Belkin announced that it would withdraw its backing at the end of this year and there had been fears that the team could be put at risk of having to fold.
However, it was announced on Wednesday that a “declaration of intent” had been signed with Lotto, the Dutch Lottery, and BrandLoyalty, a marketing firm that already sponsors a speed skating squad.
The new name of the team has not yet been finalised, but Lotto plan to pledge their support for up to four years, while the cycling and speed skating squads will be united under one banner.
Lotto marketing director Arno de Jong said: “We aspire a collaboration of two years, with the option to add another two years. This would make Lotto the name-giver of the first combined cycling-speed skating team.
"We are currently working on the details. Everything is focused on Lotto and BrandLoyalty joining forces to make sure the first professional speed skating-cycling team will start next season.”
Belkin began sponsoring the team midway through the 2013 season after long-term backer Rabobank had ended its association the previous winter.
