The unique partnership will allow for university-wide collaboration, with academic Schools delivering development and support throughout the working relationship.
The agreement will also see Le Col integrated into º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ’s sports offering by providing racewear for its cycling and triathlon programmes and becoming a key sponsor of the Lightning Cycling franchise.
Le Col was founded by former Great Britain cyclist Yanto Barker who remains central to the brand’s vision of performance perfection. Its wide-ranging cycling attire is produced in Italy using the highest quality materials and worn in the World Tour by BORA – hansgrohe and Pro Continental women's team, Le Col Wahoo.
Jo Simpson, Commercial and Facilities Director for º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Sport, said:
“I am immensely proud to announce this new strategic partnership with LeCol and º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ. We are always looking to work with the very best brands and organisations and Le Col represents the very pinnacle of performance cycling.
“This partnership brings together everything that makes º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ special. Integrating world-leading and impactful academic research into performance cycling and creating a unique developmental pathway for our outstanding athletes. Through this partnership, we will embed world-leading innovation into the world of cycling to break new boundaries in the sport.”
Dr Richard Ferguson, Reader in Human and Exercise Physiology, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, added:
“This is a hugely exciting relationship which will allow a multi-disciplinary team the opportunity to collaborate on pushing the boundaries of performance cycling.
“Utilising impactful evidence-based research our focus is to enhance rider performance through continuous innovation, integration and application of scientific and engineering excellence.”
Yanto Barker, Le Col’s founder, said:
“As a brand we will always strive to keep pushing the boundaries of cycling performance, and our relationship with º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ will allow us to do so by leveraging its world-class facilities and academic expertise.”
For more information on Lightning Cycling visit: /sport/performance/lightning/cycling/ and for more information on Le Col visit: https://lecol.cc/.