Team United Bakeries, one of the most recognizable names in Visma Ski Classics is no more
Welcome Team Koteng that will compete in the same long distance skiing series that will kick off this week.
Says John Kristian Dahl, triple winner of Vasaloppet and erstwhile Team United Bakeries (TUB) member
“ We will fight for both the yellow champion bib and for winning the Pro Team competition. Individual wins in the big events such as Vasaloppet, Marcialonga and Birkebeinerrennet will be the most important goals”
The new name of the team comes from a new main sponsor – and quite a sponsor it is!
Ivar Koteng is a legendary property investor and manager, the guy who launched his business with several thousand Norwegian Kronas some 30 years ago and who’s personal fortune nowadays is listed at NOK 1.75 billion ( around EUR 180 mln. ). Koteng also happens to be a chairman of Rosenborg BK, Norway’s top soccer club.
Ex-TUB has its base in Trondheim, same as Koteng – so, the collaboration makes a perfect sense.
Team Koteng director Bernhard Rønning makes it clear:
“We are very satisfied to have one of the business gigants in the Norwegian region of Trønderlag as our main partner for the team….Together we have the ambition to build and further develop cross country skiing in the region”
The financial details of the deal are not being disclosed, but it’s signed for one year with 2 year prolongation option.
The roster of Team Koteng will remain unchanged and for the season of 2017/18 it consists of John Kristian Dahl, Tore Bjørseth Berdal, Torleif Syrstad, Astrid Øyre Slind, Stian Holgaard, Masako Ishida and Team Director Bernhard Rønning.
Will Team Koteng retain TUB’s easily recognizable bright yellow racing suits? “ We will change team colors. Two races before Christmas in yellow, then new colors in 2018”, says Rønning
What those are going to be? Stand by and keep on checking the DailySkier for update.
