15 Strangest Cycling Sponsors – Velo
Okay,here’s a breakdown of the facts from the provided text,focusing on the teams and sponsors mentioned,along with their notable results:
1. Gianni Savio’s Teams (Various Sponsors)
* Sponsors: Androni Giocattoli, Sidermec, Diquigiovanni, Venezuela’s national backers (and others – described as “eclectic”).
* Team Manager: Gianni Savio
* Notable Result: Secured a 2022 Giro d’Italia wildcard and achieved multiple breakaways despite limited resources.
* Additional Info: savio was known for his “newspaper-style” kits (jerseys covered in sponsor logos) and launching careers, including egan Bernal. He retired in 2024.
2. Z-Tomasso
* Sponsor: Z (French children’s clothing brand)
* Rider: greg LeMond
* Notable Result: Greg LeMond won his third and final Tour de France yellow jersey in 1990 while riding for Z-Tomasso.
* Additional Info: the article notes that many small/mid-sized french companies have backed successful teams over the years (e.g., Pelforth-Sauvage-Lejeune with Jan janssen in 1968, La vie Claire in the 1980s).
3. Novo Nordisk
* sponsor: Novo Nordisk (global insulin giant)
* Team Characteristic: All riders have Type 1 diabetes.
* Notable Result: The team is currently in its 17th season in the professional peloton.
* Additional Info: The article mentions phonak (hearing aids) as another example of a company sponsoring a team with a connection to their product/mission.
In essence, the article highlights teams that have achieved success despite having less conventional or smaller sponsors, or teams with a unique and inspiring mission.