Sunweb to become first name sponsor for Giant-Alpecin from 2017

Giant-Alpecin have secured sponsorship for a further three-years, but will operate under a new guise with European tour operators Sunweb signing on as first name sponsor.

Sunweb has been a partner with the team since 2015, but will become lead sponsor in the deal which will commence from January 1 2017.

The team name is likely to continue to include German hair product manufacturer Alpecin after it signed a four-year sponsorship deal that began in 2015.

>>> John Degenkolb confirmed to leave Giant-Alpecin at the end of the season

The WorldTour team switched their registration from the Netherlands to Germany from the start of 2015, and is unlikely to change with the arrival of Dutch company Sunweb who are looking to help grow the team's involvement of German cycling talent.

It means that bike company Giant will no longer be a lead sponsor after taking up the mantle from 2014, with the team yet to announce whether the Taiwanese company will continue as bike supplier from 2017.

Watch: Tom Dumoulin's Giant TT bike

"We’re extremely proud to join forces with Sunweb, which we believe is one of the best partnerships in cycling," said team CEO Iwan Spekenbrink.

"We share a common dream and big ambitions. Sunweb supports us 100% and does not only look at today’s victories and the day to day support. As a real partner they are also willing to invest in the future, to move forward the sport of cycling together with us, to support our vision, our road to the top...

He added: "The athletes and the staff are very excited because Sunweb shares their “Keep Challenging” approach. This “elite sports approach” is built on cooperation and innovation as the key growth drivers within a framework of non-negotiable values.

"And last but not least, our people are convinced about Sunweb’s true commitment to their future and the future of the next generation of German and international talents and staff."