ORICA-GreenEDGE has welcomed BikeExchange as a new naming rights sponsor on the eve of the Tour de France.

Bike Exchange joins Orica as the Australian team’s major supporters, with the outfit adopting a new name – ORICA-BikeExchange – and new look for the biggest race of the year.

“We are thrilled to welcome BikeExchange onboard as a major, naming rights partner for our team,” team owner and creator Gerry Ryan said. “It’s a pleasure for us to work with such a young and innovative company that has an Australian background but is very rapidly building into a real, global platform.

“We are looking forward to help them develop their business together with the team and to bring our fans even closer to the joy of riding bikes and watching the biggest stars take the biggest races.  
 
“Our team has come a long way since its inception. We are now in our fifth season and we have developed into one of the youngest and most versatile rosters on the WorldTour. With BikeExchange as a new and very professional partner we are all looking forward to take the next, major steps.

“It's really exciting for us to start the biggest race of the season with a new partner and a new look.”

BikeExchange co-founder Jason Wyatt joined Ryan in announcing the partnership, and the commitment by both parties to continue showcasing cycling to people across the world.

"We are humbled to be a part of such a wonderful team and culture,” Wyatt said. “This partnership cements our unique joint strategy and builds on our shared commitment to innovation, entrepreneurial thinking and teamwork.” 
 
“The partnership helps tell the BikeExchange story; we support retailers, brands and riders to find buy and sell everything bike.

“We have been fortunate to be a part of the growth within the cycling industry and through our media platforms aim to share and contribute with the world, the beautiful story and sport that is cycling.

“Both businesses have a lot in common, so this next evolution just made sense. We share an Australian legacy and culture, and are now very much global in our pool of talent, our reach, approach and attitude. BikeExchange represents thousands of bike retailer members worldwide - associating our name with this team doesn’t just raise our profile, it supports our retail members and cycling community across the globe.”

Earlier this week ORICA-BikeExchange named their 2016 Tour de France team, identifying stage victories as the major goal for the three-week Grand Tour.

The Tour de France takes place from this Saturday, 2nd July and runs to the 24th of July covering 3,535 kilometres. It is the 103rd edition of the truly historic race and for the first time in history, it begins in the department of Manche in the region of Normandy.