As you might have heard GreenEDGE has just announced Orica Mining Services as their new partner for the next three years. I’m travelling interstate at the moment so I don’t have time to say much, but in the mean time here is the press release just sent from GreenEDGE:

Among various rumours floating around were Huawei (which apparently fell through), Tourism Australia, and Orlando Wines (i.e. Jacob’s Creek). It was a well kept secret because nobody I spoke with expected Orica!

Media Release

Following one of the most successful debuts in the WorldTour of cycling, GreenEDGE today announced a three-year co-naming sponsorship with leading global mining services company Orica Limited.

As of this year’s Giro d’Italia, the team will change its name to Orica-GreenEDGE.

“This is a rare and fantastic opportunity to secure the founding co-naming sponsorship with this ground-breaking sporting venture. GreenEDGE is the first Australian team at this level and it offers Orica a powerful sports marketing platform, perfectly aligned with our values and drivers,” says Ian Smith, Managing Director and CEO of Orica.

“Cycling is dynamic, competitive and truly appeals to a global audience. We have a lot in common with the team; we’re both multi-national organisations with an Australian DNA, and we share mutual aspirations driven by a focus on innovation and team work. This sponsorship forms one of the strategic platforms for Orica to increase its brand presence in key global markets and we’re convinced that the world-class performances of this team will help provide ongoing global exposure,” Smith continues.

Team founder and owner, Gerry Ryan said, “We’re extremely proud to be teaming up with Orica in our debut season and onwards. It’s the perfect partner for us and we couldn’t have found a more ambitious and forward thinking company to get onboard.

“We have had a dream start to our sporting goals, winning big races and putting GreenEDGE on the map in professional cycling. This relationship with Orica, and our existing partners, will continue to make GreenEDGE grow – for the athletes, for our fantastic fans and for cycling in general. It’s a significant milestone for us,” Ryan says.

The Orica logo will feature prominently on the team kit at its Grand Tour debut and at this year’s Amgen Tour of California. A whole new visual identity for Orica-GreenEDGE will be launched before the world’s biggest race: the Tour de France at the end of June.

Orica will also become the co-naming sponsor of the women’s team run by GreenEDGE.

GreenEDGE and Orica have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a three-year sponsorship agreement.

About Orica:

Orica is the global leader in explosives, mining chemicals and mining services and Australia’s largest chemical company. The company has operated for nearly 140 years and employs more than 15,000 people in 50 countries.

Orica’s core strategy is to be the global leader in the provision of high service, critical consumables to the mining, construction and infrastructure markets. Through the development of market-leading technologies, Orica has improved the efficiency, productivity and safety of our customers’ operations.