This week the Spanish Professional Cyclist, Alberto Contador, launched the rh+ Polartec Junior and Under 23 Team during a press conference in Madrid at the Spanish Ministry for Sport and Culture. Supported by the Alberto Contador Foundation, which is now in its fourth year, the teams bear a new brand sponsorship pairing: gear supplier rh+ – famed for high quality casual, competition wear, helmets and goggles; and Polartec – cutting-edge, technical fabric manufacturer.
At the press conference, Contador outlined the team’s ambitions, and did nothing to hide the fact that they aim to go professional in 2017. They also intend to expand their presence by racing in the US later this year. The partnership with rh+ and Polartec® has broadened the horizons of the team, which is managed by Contador’s bother, Francisco.
Fundacion Contador 2016: the new season is coming from rhsportcode on Vimeo.
“Cycling is the most beautiful sport in the world, requiring racers to push themselves under the most extreme environmental conditions. From hot sun to snowy mountain passes, innovative Polartec fabrics are there to improve their performance.”
– Gary Smith, CEO, Polartec.
A new top-level professional team: Alberto Contador has two races on his hands this week. The first will be his season debut at the Volta ao Algarve, starting Wednesday in Portugal. The second? A countdown to find money to bankroll a new top-level professional team.
The Tinkoff star confirmed Monday he is leaving two doors open to race in 2017. He’s already hinted he could carry on next season, if he hits unexpected road-bumps in his swan song year. But even more enticing would be a chance to race on a new team where he would play a key role in ownership and management.
“I have two options in my head: One is to carry on if I suffer a mishap in the Tour, like I did in 2014,” Contador said during the official presentation of the rh+ Polartec team. “And the other is to launch a professional team.”
INFO: Polartec
