Trek Factory Racing Partners with Samsung

Samsung is a worldwide leader in mobile technology and will be the exclusive supplier for the entire Trek Factory Racing team, including its coaches and staff, providing a full suite of Samsung mobile devices, ranging from the Galaxy S5, Gear devices (Galaxy Gear, Gear 2, Gear Fit) and tablets, as well as future products, to help enhance the team’s training and racing cycling experiences.

The Trek Factory Racing team is owned and operated by Trek Bicycles, a global leader in bicycle manufacturing, and both Samsung and Trek share the initiative to become best in class using innovative technologies. Together, Trek Factory Racing and Samsung will be able to fashion exciting, new advances in the sport of cycling, ultimately benefiting anyone who lives an active lifestyle.

“The partnership announcement with Samsung is really exciting because when two leading companies who are driven by technology and innovation come together we are guaranteed to push the boundaries of the cycling experience for the professional cyclist. What we learn and the technologies we develop will benefit everyone, no matter what your ability.,” explained Trek’s senior vice president Joe Vadeboncoeur. “It’s hard to imagine even going for a ride now without sticking a smart phone in your pocket, whether it’s using it for GPS, recording a ride, music, getting a text – it has become almost intrinsic with riding a bicycle.”

Samsung will work closely with Trek Factory Racing – some of the world’s best professional cyclists  – in order to design cutting edge technology that will elevate them above the competition. The products will be used daily for training, competition, health and fitness management, personal use, and of course, for all the fundamental team operations by team personnel.

“We are really excited to pair with Trek Factory Racing to help develop authenticity with the impact and utilization of the brand at all levels from the professional cyclist to the enthusiast and recreational  level,” said Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics. “Cycling is a global sport and is enjoyed by a wide variety of fans and spectators around the world. This partnership represents our growing commitment to sport and provides another opportunity for Samsung to demonstrate the different ways that our Galaxy devices can help people enhance their everyday active lives and experiences.”

The entire Trek Factory Racing team, starting with the Tour de France, will be outfitted with Samsung communication and Gear devices. The newly unveiled Trek Émonda the riders will be riding will be able to connect through BlueTooth and ANT+ to a Samsung smartphone, Samsung Gear device, or other cycling computer, providing basic data such as cadence and speed.

“It’s a start today,” continued Joe V, “And hopefully over time you will start to see Samsung devices mounted on the bicycle, and at some point in the future we anticipate working on more cycling specific things to utilize all the data that could come off the bicycle. As you can tell we are really excited. Getting started with the Tour de France was a big key because it’s such a high profile event with high visibility.” 

Trek, committed for the long haul, had set the goal from the beginning of Trek Factory Racing’s maiden season to obtain partnership in order to continue the palpable growth already seen in both the team, and its global fan base. The announcement of the Samsung partnership acknowledges the multi-national WorldTour team will resume its upward momentum into next season – and hopefully for many years after.

“Trek has been working behind the scene with Samsung for close to a year now,” pointed out Joe V. “Which implies in the near future that you will soon see some other things come along.” He paused, then added: “We are in racing for a long time and we would love to see our partner be with us for a long time, too.”