Ineos Grenadiers have today unveiled the end of a 12-year partnership with Oakley, in a move that will see the team switch to fellow British outfit, SunGod. The new partnership is being described as ‘long term’, though no specific contract length is stated.
SunGod was founded following a Kickstarter round of funding in 2013, and has exploded onto the cycling glasses scene in recent years following a move away from snowsports, thanks to a steady stream of new launches and a full customisation process built into the purchase.
The brand has previously sponsored British Continental teams Ribble-Weldtite and Bianchi-Dama, offering each of the teams’ riders the option to create their own customised style. It is unclear whether the Ineos Grenadiers riders will be afforded the same opportunity, or whether a team-appropriate red-and-navy colourway will be appointed to all. Images supplied with the recent press release include what appear to be generic finishes of white or black, rather than anything evidently team-focussed.
What is clear is that the team will wear the brand’s Pace Series sunglasses, described by SunGod as ‘Performance Sunglasses for Cycling and Running’, which comprises four models: The Ultras, Velans, Vulcans, and Airas. The latter three of which are available in a choice of full or half-frame styles and in two lenses – standard or an ‘8KO’ polarised finish.
“INEOS Grenadiers is a performance-led team so we pride ourselves on working with the most forward-thinking, agile and performance-driven partners – that’s why we’ve chosen SunGod as our new, long-term eyewear partner,” explained Deputy Team Principle Rod Ellingworth. “Their product quality and commitment to continuously raising the industry bar is excellent and we’re really excited by the pipeline of innovative products we will develop together. We’re delighted to welcome SunGod to the team and look forward to showcasing their products at the highest level of competitive cycling.”
But what about Geraint?
Ineos Grenadiers – and formerly in its Team Sky guise, has partnered with Oakley since its inception in 2010, winning seven Tours de France among countless other races. In this move away from Oakley, it appears that Geraint Thomas will be forced to move away from his long-favoured white Oakley Racing Jackets.
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at CyclingNews RSS Feed…