Rapha and Team Sky will not renew partnership next year

Nov 3, 2015

In an open letter to Team Sky dated 2nd of November and posted on the Rapha website, Rapha Founder Simon Mottram says that the team partnership will not continue beyond the end of the 2016 season after just four years working together. The reason for the split is not apparent in the letter but it says that it was a mutual decision. (full letter below)

Simon Mottram Founder and Chief Executive of Rapha

“TEAM SKY: AN OPEN LETTER FROM SIMON MOTTRAM

Words: Simon Mottram | Date: November 2, 2015

In 2012 Rapha announced the beginning of a four-year Partnership with the world’s number-one professional racing team, Team Sky. Rapha has been a part of Team Sky’s countless achievements since then, including two Tour de France victories and success on all types of terrain and in all conditions. Together, we have redefined performance and style in the peloton, both on and off the bike. It’s been an amazing ride so far and the success of the Partnership has been beyond expectations.

After reflection and discussion, both Rapha and Team Sky have decided not to renew our Partnership beyond the current four-year deal, which concludes at the end of the 2016 season.

For the next year Rapha will focus on the Research and Development projects that are already in progress with the team. With several special new products due to be released in 2016, we now look forward to an exciting final season with Team Sky and celebrating the Partnership in style.

Going forward Rapha will continue to find Partnerships that serve and connect with our customers wherever they are from, and across the many levels and disciplines of this beautiful sport. The success of our Cycle Clubs and the RCC (Rapha Cycling Club) gives us the confidence to keep moving forwards, to try new ventures and trust our instincts. From 2017 we will continue to support racing in many ways, especially locally, but we will also focus on new geographies, partnerships and categories. We will be announcing news on these exciting developments soon.

Sincerely,

Simon Mottram