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 The Lotto company will become the main sponsor of both the
professional cycling team and a Dutch speed skating squad.
They will work closely together.
"This unique concept brings Holland's biggest high endurance sports
together," said Richard Plugge, managing director of the Belkin
team, hailing an agreement that will take effect in 2015 for an
initial two years.
Details of the new team name, riders, colors and budget will be
decided during the next few months.
Belkin placed second in the team classification for the Tour de
France on Sunday, but they have had a difficult time commercially in
recent years.
Long-standing sponsor Rabobank pulled out in 2012 after cycling was
hit by a series of doping scandals.
Californian consumer electronics group Belkin ends its backing this
year after coming on board in mid-2013.
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Brand Loyalty, a company that runs customer loyalty schemes for retailers,
already sponsors the speed skating team and will be the second main
backer of the combined group.
Speed skating is a popular sport in the Netherlands, and Dutch skaters
dominated the event at the Sochi Winter Olympics this year.
(Writing by Keith Weir in London, editing by Stephen Wood)
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