Royal DSM N : Pro cycling’s newest elite team unveiled - Team DSM

Fresh from winning multiple stages of the Tour de France and dominating the podium of the Giro d'Italia in 2020, one of the top ranked and most exciting young teams in professional road cycling will be known as Team DSM from 1st January 2021.

Through this partnership DSM hopes to galvanize wider public action around the importance of the health of people and of the planet, in line with the company's purpose-led, performance-driven strategy.

Building on an existing innovation partnership with DSM that has grown over the past half-decade, Team DSM will continue to 'Keep Challenging' by taking their nutrition, equipment and personal care to a whole new level. DSM will support the Men's, Women's and Development programs equally to become the best that they can be - inside and out.

In stepping up this partnership, DSM and Team DSM will also undertake several joint activities, including amongst others:

• Develop and produce the team's very own race apparel, in cooperation with technology partner Bioracer, to set new standards in protective race wear that utilizes peak performance materials.
• Develop personalized, sustainable sports nutrition for each rider using the latest scientific knowledge, data insights and ingredients, in cooperation with sports nutrition partner Sanas.
• Provide additional investment to increase the intensity of fully independent anti-doping testing in the team, executed by 'Dopingautoriteit' (Dutch NADO), according to WADA standards.

The team's new colors were revealed today for the first time at an online launch event hosted in DSM's Virtual Innovation Center. Team DSM will proudly maintain the team's distinctive two-stripe 'Keep Challenging' design but this time in DSM's bright blue, emblazoned on an instantly recognizable standout new black kit.

Team DSM also level-up their two- and four-wheel rides with the introduction of Scott bikes and Volvo cars. Sunweb will remain the team's partner.

Team Sunweb CEO (as from 1st January 2021, Team DSM CEO), Iwan Spekenbrink said: 'This is truly a dream. The involvement of DSM at this scale will definitely help us set new standards with the best nutrition and materials giving us a competitive edge inside and out. We share so much in common with DSM; a passion for innovation and sustainability, high ethical values and much more. The bike is a beautiful symbol of sustainable health and we are very keen to support DSM in ensuring more people recognize there are solutions to some of the world's biggest challenges. For a sports team like ours, having the chance to elevate our relevance from sporting excitement to contributing to big global themes is something we are very, very proud of and is definitely an ambition for all of us.'

DSM Co-CEO Geraldine Matchett said: 'This partnership goes beyond an exchange of products and expertise alone. There are considerable challenges ahead for the world in terms of people's health as a result of poor nutrition and this will only be exacerbated by climate change. It is not too late for scientific solutions so, by becoming synonymous with such a young, successful, principled team, we hope to trigger wider action for more sustainable living and health through nutrition. This partnership will help further our mission to create brighter lives for all through our scientific and innovation power. I am really excited for the road that lays ahead for Team DSM.'

DSM Co-CEO Dimitri de Vreezesaid: 'For us it's a very natural next step having already worked closely together for half a decade. We see our purpose-led, performance-driven approach matched in this team. Our culture is all about being courageous, caring and collaborative and this complements Team DSM's advocacy on issues like doping, safety, the environmental impact of large racing events, and modernizing women's and men's pro cycling. These are areas where we can work together to be a positive force for change. This strategic partnership sets a new standard in sport and will help all the team's programs, as well as society as a whole.'