An online investment bank will join CSC as a co-sponsor of Team CSC beginning into this year’s Tour de France, then assume title sponsorship of the squad beginning in 2009.

The co-sponsorship agreement between Riis Cycling and Saxo Bank runs to the end of this year. On Jan. 1, 2009, Saxo Bank will become the team’s sole main sponsor for a three-year period.

“With Saxo Bank, we have found the perfect partner for the future. We are extremely proud to become associated with such a strong brand and a company that has a great passion for our team and our values,” said team owner Bjarne Riis.

In a statement, Saxo Bank’s founders and joint CEOs, Kim Fournais and Lars Seier Christensen, called the partnership “a perfect match.”

“Team CSC-Saxo Bank has the international reach and name recognition that means that we will be able to get our message out to most of our clients group around the globe. We love the sport, we trust Bjarne Riis, and believe that together we will be winners,” the statement said.

As for CSC, which has sponsored the squad since 2001, Riis said the American company’s support “made it possible for us to become the best team in the world.”

“I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to our main sponsor CSC for their passionate and consistent support,” Riis said. “We have achieved fantastic results thanks to their dedication. The level and the quality of this partnership is what
we want to continue with Saxo Bank as our new sponsor.”

CSC management was equally pleased.

"We are pleased to welcome Saxo Bank onboard as a co-sponsor of Team CSC for the remainder of 2008 and thrilled that they will become the team's title sponsor in 2009," said David Booth, president of global sales and marketing for CSC. "We have enjoyed an incredible partnership with the team for these past eight years; helping them secure another strong partner like Saxo Bank is in keeping with that spirit of partnership.”