Team Belkin and speed skating Team BrandLoyalty have finally signed the contracts with Lotto and Brandloyalty that will see the two teams work together under the name of TEAMLottoNL in 2015. The deal ensures that the Dutch cycling team will continue despite the loss of current sponsor Belkin.

The Belkin Pro Cycling Team and speed skating Team BrandLoyalty have signed an agreement with, Lotto, part of ‘De Lotto’, and BrandLoyalty. The teams will work together for the next two years under the name of TEAMLottoNL. Lotto will become the title sponsor of the speed skating team as of October 1st, 2014. The cycling team will have Lotto as its title sponsor as of January 1st, 2015. BrandLoyalty will become a sub sponsor.

It is for the first time in the history of Dutch sports that speed skating and cycling are brought together this way, with the aim of building a new professional sport structure; sportively, financially and commercially. Cooperation, the sharing of knowledge and inspiring each other are the central themes.

Arno de Jong, Marketing Director of ‘De Lotto’, is very pleased with the collaboration of Jac Orie’s speed skating team and Richard Plugge’s cycling team:

“We are proud for ‘De Lotto’ to be the title sponsor and name giver of Holland’s first combined cycling and speed skating team, a ‘unique thing’ in the Dutch world of sports. Combining these two Dutch sports in one team fits us, ‘De Lotto’ connects sports and athletes.”

The speed skaters will be seen in their Lotto suits for the first time at the National Championships at the end of October, 2014. The cyclists will follow after the 1st of January, 2015.

“After having been title sponsor of Team Brandloyalty for two seasons, and having contributed to the successes of the speed skaters at the 2014 Olympics, we hope to guarantee the speed skaters their continuity for the upcoming years," Marco van Bilsen, Marketing Director BrandLoyalty, said. "We also hope to help obtain new successes for the speed skaters as well as the cyclists of TEAMLottoNL.”

Orie and Plugge are also pleased that the collaboration is now a fact.

“I’m looking forward to working together with ‘De Lotto’, Brandloyalty and the cycling team on this amazing concept for the next two years," Orie said. "Hopefully we can give this project a great start at the National Speed Skating Championships, at the end of October.’’

“Thanks to the initial support of ‘De Lotto’ and BrandLoyalty we can keep developing our vision, which is to build a new future for cycling under the motto #RideTheFuture," Plugge said. "The cooperation with Jac Orie’s speed skating team ensures that we have one team, with talents who will make their presence felt throughout the year. Right now we are still looking for a second title sponsor.”