Lidl has agreed to become a name sponsor of the Trek cycling teams, starting from the 2023 Giro Donne at the end of June. Segafredo will begin their departure in time for the Tour de France on July 1st, closing their time as the co-name sponsor with Trek. With their departure scheduled for before the Giro Donne and Tour de France, that gives the team a chance to settle on a new jersey design that no doubt will incorporate the Lidl blue and yellow colour scheme in some fashion. It remains to be seen if the men’s and women’s jerseys will match – currently, the men’s team are red and the women’s team is blue in jersey colours.
“We are excited to work with a team that is committed not only to excellence in cycling, but also to the sustainable development of athletes in a family team culture. We are convinced that healthy nutrition and an active lifestyle – shaped by sports and exercise – strengthen people’s well-being. Just as our Lidl products are accessible to everyone, cycling is a sport for everyone and suitable for anyone who wants to be more active in everyday life. We want to share this message with as many people as possible”
Jeroen Bal, Divisional Board Member responsible for the Customer at Lidl International
Trek-Segafredo Men’s Team
The origins of the Trek-Segafredo men’s team can be traced back to 2011 when it was first launched as Leopard Trek. This Luxembourg-based team, led by the Schleck brothers – Frank and Andy, quickly made a name for itself on the ProTour circuit.
In 2012, Leopard Trek merged with RadioShack-Nissan. The result was the RadioShack-Leopard team, which continued to show promise and deliver results in major races. By 2014, the team was under the sole sponsorship of Trek, and the Trek Factory Racing team was born. The team built on its predecessors’ foundations, recruiting strong riders and racking up impressive results.
In 2016, the Italian coffee brand Segafredo joined as a co-sponsor, leading to the formation of the Trek-Segafredo team we know today. Over the years, the team has boasted a roster of exceptional cyclists, including Alberto Contador, John Degenkolb, and Richie Porte. They have secured impressive results in Grand Tours and classic races, cementing their position as a powerhouse in men’s professional cycling.
Trek-Segafredo Women’s Team
The Trek-Segafredo women’s team is a more recent addition to the professional cycling landscape. Officially launched in 2019, it marked a significant step in Trek’s commitment to the growth and development of women’s cycling. The team made headlines by offering pay and support equal to the men’s team, a rarity in professional cycling and a significant stride towards gender equality in the sport.
From the outset, the team attracted some of the sport’s most talented riders, including Lizzie Deignan, Elisa Longo Borghini, and Ellen van Dijk. The team has quickly become a dominant force in women’s cycling, earning a string of victories in prestigious races such as the Trofeo Alfredo Binda and Paris Roubaix Femmes.
Trek-Segafredo’s investment in the women’s team reflects a growing recognition of women’s cycling and has set the bar high for other professional cycling teams to follow suit.
