Columbia Sportswear and Garmin International Inc. announced last week they will sponsor cycling teams competing in the Tour de France this summer.


Team High Road, featuring top riders George Hincapie, Kim Kirchen and Mark Cavendish, will compete as “Team Columbia” for the remainder of the 2008 season. The team will unveil its new uniforms in Brest, France on July 3, two days before the start of the 95th Tour de France – which is one of Europe’s largest sporting events.


The three-year sponsorship agreement runs through 2010 and includes both the men's and women's professional cycling teams, which are top ranked worldwide and have won over 70 races combined in 2008 – the most wins of any competing team. In addition, at least 15 riders from Team Columbia are expected to represent their countries in the upcoming Olympics.


Garmin International Inc. said it will be title sponsor for Slipstream Sports. Team Garmin will train and race with the Edge 705 GPS-enabled cycling computer and travel with nuvi 770 personal navigation devices. The sponsorship will extend through 2010 and the entire team — from kits to cars, will be re-branded for the Tour de France.