2011 taking shape not only on the personnel front, but on the equipment side as well

German bike manufacturer, Canyon, and Belgian ProTour outfit, Omega Pharma-Lotto, look to have formed a happy union together. The bike manufacturer and the team of Philippe Gilbert have agreed to continue on for another season. Omega Pharma moved over to Canyon in 2009 after previously riding for Ridley.

Another team is not content with their bikes though. According to Wielerland, Vacansoleil and Batavus will part ways at the end of this season, and in a recent press release, the team reports that it will race on Belgium’s Ridley bikes in 2011.

The team has enjoyed great success aboard the Dutch brand Batavus in recent years, but in 2011, the team looks set to grow immensely and Batavus could not grow at the same rate as the team: “We could live with the original, not small, contribution to the sponsorship of the team, but we could not increase to that extent.”

Vacansoleil manager, Daan Luijkx, was happy to look back at the time spent with Batavus, but was ready to move on when he commented in the middle of September.

“Batavus has been a fine partner, and although racing is not their core business, they have assisted us well. It was nice to see Leukemans ride to top 10’s this year at both Flanders and Roubaix on the specially designed scandium bike. Now, the team is growing so fast, we go into 2011 searching for a brand that is more focused on the racing market.”

Only days later, the official announcement came and yet another piece of the ever growing Vacansoleil team fell into place: Ridley signed on as the team’s bike sponsor. The three year deal goes along perfectly with a myriad of high profile signings including Stijn Devolder, Ezequiel Mosquera, and Riccardo Ricco.

Jochim Aerts of Ridley comments: “After six year on the ProTour, we think we have found a new challenge in Vacansoleil. This is the most prominent Pro Continental team right now. Our ambition is to climb with Vacansoleil to the highest level. Two growing companies can only lead to success.”