Home > Bike Gear

New rides: The bike sponsor changes of 2018 (so far)

New year, new bike for these athletes

In the last few weeks there have been a few big changes in bike sponsors for notable pro athletes in both Ironman and ITU racing. Here’s a breakdown of the changes we’ve seen so far… and no doubt there will be a few more to come.

Helle Frederiksen signs with Trek

The Danish Olympian and fastest woman ever across the half distance made a big bike sponsor chance for her 2018 season — the year she’ll be making her first bid for Kona. Frederiksen previously raced on a Look TT bike and Look road bike during her ITU days.

Here she talks about her new Trek bike, a customized Speed Concept designed with the brand’s Project One program:

Flora Duffy moves from Scott to Specialized

Duffy, the “world champion of everything”, announced her move from Scott Bikes to Specialized over social media last week. Here, she is pictured with her new road bike (which she’ll ride in ITU competitions), but as an Xterra athlete we expect to see her on a new mountain bike soon and a new TT bike as well, since she’ll be making her 70.3 debut soon.

Andy Potts signs with Ceepo

Andy Potts has joined with Ceepo for 2018. Previously a Cannondale athlete, the fastest American male in Kona last year is the biggest name on Ceepo’s roster and says he has some big projects coming up in his new partnership.

“Ceepo has thought about everything when building a tri-specific superbike,” says Potts. “Aerodynamics, ride, position, fit, hydration and feel – all to make sure you’re fast and ready to run. The more I learn about what my body needs and how to prepare to be my best, the more I need to think about the little things. Ceepo has made my job easier by building bikes to meet every triathlete’s needs.”

Potts will be riding the Ceepo Viper R.

Michelle Vesterby signs with Argon 18

Vesterby is another former Cannondale athlete (and not the last — Heather Jackson also suggested on Instagram that she’ll be with a new bike sponsor this year, too, though has yet to announce which one). She announced that she will be with Argon 18, for “many many years”. Vesterby’s new bike keeps her signature pink pop of colour on the brake covers, a trademark of her brand for most of her career so far. Here she is on her new E-119 Tri+