SD Worx extend contract with team until 2026

SD Worx extend contract with team until 2026

Payroll and HR services provider SD Worx has extended its contract as main sponsor of the eponymous Women’s WorldTeam until the end of 2026.

The company’s CEO, Kobe Verdonck, said of the sponsorship extension: “We want to pull out all the stops to maintain the leading position of Team SD Worx. In addition, by extending our sponsorship we want to help facilitate the further development of women’s cycling in general.”

The team, which has counted many of the top names in women’s cycling among its roster for years, amassed 15 podiums and five victories throughout their spring campaign including new signing Lotte Kopecky’s wins at both Strade Bianche and Flanders.

The contract with SD Worx, which was originally until 2024, has secured the fate of one of the longest-standing women’s teams for a further two seasons. “This is a special collaboration,” says team manager Erwin Janssen. “In SD Worx we have found a main sponsor that shows enormous commitment to our team. The extension proves a lot of trust from SD Worx. We absolutely want to live up to that.

“Having certainty now for the next 4.5 years is exceptional in cycling. As a cycling team, it is very important that you can work on the future in peace and continuity. This is a long-term project. If you want to build and give top talent the chance to develop themselves, you need a horizon of four years. We have been number one in women’s cycling for six consecutive years. It is our goal to remain the best in the world for the next four years as well.”

Verdonck acknowledged the role that the rapid growth of women’s cycling played in the company’s decision to further invest in the sport: “We are linking our name to a sport that is growing and where team spirit and diversity are important,” he said. “Of course, this sponsorship also helps us to build our international brand awareness. This is a successful partnership, where there is a great deal of trust between the sponsor and the team, hence the extension.”

Longstanding manager of the team, Danny Stam, added: “Ideally you want to work with a horizon of around four years. Then you can work towards the future with young talent. In recent years we have consciously contracted young riders such as Demi Vollering, Niamh Fisher-Black, Anna Shackley and Blanka Vas, among others, so that we can invest in them in the first years.”

“Especially now that women’s cycling is developing further and more big teams are joining, it is extremely important that we can offer continuity until the end of 2026. The fact that SD Worx broke open the contract early and extended it until 2026 is a sign of trust towards the team.”

Janssen paid homage to former title sponsors Boels, Dolmans Landscaping Group, who saw the team through some of its most dominant years.

“The competition has increased. This team has played a pioneering role in the development of the sport. This was possible thanks to our sponsors Boels, Dolmans Landscaping Group and SD Worx, who offered us continuity for the past ten years,” he said.

“This has always enabled us to think one step ahead and anticipate innovations within the sport. This extended cooperation with SD Worx up to and including 2026 offers us the same stability and opportunity. And even better, we are going for the next step.”