International

CARLSBAD, CA (BRAIN) — Focus Bicycles is returning to the WorldTour with a three-year agreement to sponsor France's Ag2r-La Mondiale team. The brand will be the technical sponsor of the team, which will ride a new Izalco Team SL model for the 2013 season.
NUNSPEET, Netherlands (BRAIN) — Shimano, which already sponsors the BMC pro road racing team, will expand its relationship with BMC next year and take over sponsorship of its pro mountain biking team, the companies announced Wednesday.
RICHMOND, VICTORIA, Australia (BRAIN) — The Australian accessory brand Knog is opening a European headquarters in Lyon, France, the company announced Wednesday.
The ExpoBici show in Padua, Italy, closed Monday after a four-day run.

MADRID, Spain — Two bike events with contrasting objectives took place this past weekend in Madrid, which caused some exhibitors to make a decision between the two.
SHANGHAI, China (BRAIN)—Brompton opened its first concept store in Shanghai this week, marking the first time handmade British bikes will be available in China.
GOLDEN, CO (BRAIN) — Yeti Cycles has signed a new Italian distributor, Releven SRL, which took over distribution for the U.S. brand on September 1. Releven replaces DSB.
SCHAFFHAUSEN, Switzerland (BRAIN) —Dr. Min H. Kao, the "Min" in Garmin and the company's chairman and CEO, has established a plan to sell a portion of his shares in the company over a designated period.
Two of Kao's family trusts, of which he is a trustee, also will sell shares.
FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany (BRAIN)—SRAM plans to break ground in the coming weeks on its second factory in China with a target to have the plant running within 12 to 15 months. The factory is near Kunshan, home to the mainland China factories for Taiwan’s two biggest frame manufacturers, Giant and Merida.
FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany (BRAIN) — The team of 2012 Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins will race in Rapha clothing next year, the team and clothing supplier announced Thursday.
As part of a four-year agreement, Rapha will also supply Team Sky with off-the-bike clothing, the company said.

FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany (BRAIN)—SRAM president Stan Day said on Thursday he still feels taking the company public is the right decision for the long-term, and will initiate an IPO as soon as stability and visibility improves in global financial markets.

FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany (BRAIN) — The first day of Eurobike's indoor trade show (following an outdoor demo on Tuesday) drew in thousands of retailers and media from around the world.

FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany (BRAIN) — They are not particularly compact or cute, nor do they feature racing stripes. But the Cooper bicycle line has some strong connections to the Mini Cooper automobiles, starting with the bike brand's founders, the Cooper family.
RATZENRIED, Germany (BRAIN) —Vittoria wants to grow its market share in mountain bike tires in the U.S. and recently hired Ken Avery as a dedicated brand and product manager for its Geax off-road tire line.
RATZENRIED, Germany (BRAIN)—Thousands of retailers, media people and suppliers came to this town Tuesday to test ride bikes under stunning blue skies.
FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany (BRAIN)—Market factors such as the devaluation of the euro, Europe’s economic slump and poor weather are all weighing on the minds of many gathered here for the start of Eurobike on Wednesday.

FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany (BRAIN)—Eurobike, the global industry’s largest and most important tradeshow starts Tuesday, drawing 40,000 visitors to the shores of Lake Constance in Southern Germany during its four-day run.
CLOPPENBURG, Germany (BRAIN)—Derby Cycle tempered its full-year revenue forecast on Thursday due to a weaker than expected spring selling season caused by poor weather in much of Northern Europe.
BAD URACH, Germany (BRAIN)—Magura has restructured its bike parts sector internally at its German headquarters in an effort to deliver fast and efficient workshop services to dealers and end consumers.
MONTREAL, Canada (BRAIN)—Hans Bergman announced Monday that he is stepping down as general manager of Assos North America to take a position with the ski clothing company Kjus North America.