Search
shop

HUUB target cycling with the HUUB Wattbike Test Team

Derby-based HUUB are proving they are more than just a wetsuit brand, with the sponsorship of a Track Cycling Team. HUUB Wattbike Test Team and a range of cycling apparel sees their market continue to expand
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -

HUUB enter the cycling market: Team Sponsorship and Apparel

Rarely a brand to stand still, HUUB (www.huubdesign.com) have made a significant play towards the cycling market, with the announcement of the HUUB Wattbike Test Team (www.huubwattbike.com). In addition to that, they have added a range of cycling specific kit to their product line, alongside their triathlon wetsuit origins.

The news was announced last week (the team are currently competing today – successfully – at the UCI Track World Cup on Paris), but arriving with us right in the middle of our 2018 Kona coverage, we are still playing catch up.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpHdXw3BFsv/

It’s an interesting move and the links are not completely new, with former Age-Group triathlete and multiple National Time Trial Champion, Dan Bigham, already a consultant and part of the design team for several HUUB products over the past 12/18 months, utilising his expertise in all things aerodynamics.

Here is the full ‘team’ announcement from the Derby-based brand.


HUUB sponsor the team disrupting the cycling world

HUUB have announced sponsorship of an innovative Derby-based track cycling team which are currently among the fastest in the world. HUUB Wattbike Test Team, as they are now known, started life as Team KGF – a group of cycling enthusiasts who shared a passion for the engineering and science behind elite performance sport.

Since relocating collectively to Derby from their homes across the UK specifically to train at the Derby Arena velodrome, they have made an indelible mark on the sport in what has been hailed a ‘David and Goliath’ story.

As amateur riders, Dan Bigham, Charlie Tanfield, Jacob Tipper and Jonny Wale pooled their money and continued their jobs or university studies to compete at national and international competitions where they were soon taking on the world’s top team and individual pursuit riders.

After a string of podium places, including gold at the national championships in Manchester – beating the British Cycling team pursuit riders, they went onto win gold in the UCI world cup in Belarus last November in 3:56 – just five seconds off the world record.

Now, with the new UCI track season just weeks away and this vital sponsorship under their belts, the HUUB Wattbike team have their sights set on more medals and smashing world records with the new line up of Dan, Jacob, and Jonny who have been joined by John Archibald and Harry Tanfield.

HUUB Cycling Kit

They are gearing up for a six-month international season which will see them competing against some of the world’s top national teams such as Australia, New Zealand and British Cycling as well as feeder teams who also have the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in their sights.

This season, the team will have the added benefit of drag-reducing cycling kit which has been produced specifically for them by HUUB using a patented performance-enhancing design developed in partnership with computational fluid design experts, TotalSim.

HUUB founder and owner Dean Jackson explained that his support for the team was another example of Derby businesses and organisations coming together to make great things happen.

“Derby as a whole should be very proud of this team. They epitomise the city’s credentials in innovation, technology and sheer determination and are definitely one to watch.

“These guys are the ‘Cool Runnings’ of the cycling world. Having been originally ignored by the cycling establishment, they have taken the sport by storm by taking a fresh, maverick-style approach to team and individual pursuit and time trial.

“They have already achieved a great deal with the support of a number of businesses and organisations including Derby City Council with access to the velodrome, Derbyshire Institute of Sport, the University of Derby, Derby College, Bowmer & Kirkland, Century Mobile and Invictus Communications.

“Our support includes making the patented cycling suits that they helped to design which are scientifically proven to help in their quest.

“We have also recently been joined by co-sponsors Wattbike, based in Nottingham, and are delighted to be working with the guys to help them achieve their goal of being the fastest in the world.”

Team manager and rider Dan Bigham, a former Mercedes F1 engineer with seven national team and individual pursuit titles, has been hailed by cycling hero Chris Boardman as ‘the first person to look at the demands of the event rather than the history’.

Bigham’s innovative approach to equipment, training and strategy has turned the sport on its head.

HUUB Wattbike Test Team

This includes developing the team pursuit system that is based on the strengths of the individual members – rather than the traditional approach of fitting riders to an agreed system.

He said: “We only have 18 months’ experience at this level and, although we are pleased with what we have achieved so far, we know we can go faster.

“Our budget is around £30,000, and we’re competing against teams such as British Cycling who have a £34 million four-year budget which really puts this into perspective. It just shows what can be achieved by working with like-minded people.

“We have adopted Derby as our home. The initial draw was the velodrome which has produced the biggest proportion of medal winners in the UK. That is down to the coaching staff and the access available to elite athletes.

“We have since had so much support from organisations and businesses and, moving forwards, HUUB – like the City of Derby – is the perfect match as we share their ethos of research, science and reality and of course engineering innovation.

“With this support in place, we are really looking forward to the coming season and to taking on the biggest and currently the best national teams in the world.”

HUUB Cycling

John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
Taylor Knibb 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Taupo New Zealand
US triathlon phenom Taylor Knibb hails great rival Kat Matthews for record-breaking IRONMAN Texas win
Richard Varga Jonny Brownlee Arzachena
Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee reveals ‘Last Dance’ motivation behind latest challenge
IRONMAN Kona 2022 Age Group Results
How will “re-imagined” IRONMAN World Championship at Kona actually look for Age Groupers?
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Finish
IRONMAN World Championship goes ALL IN on Kona again with men and women to race on same day from 2026
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Nice gets consolation prize of 70.3 Worlds after IRONMAN World Championships return to Kona
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...