SPAR Switzerland is strengthening its commitment to cycling by becoming the naming sponsor of the new SPAR CTO Women’s Cycling Team. SPAR Switzerland has been the main sponsor of Cycling Team Ost (CTO) since early 2024. Starting in 2025, CTO will have its own women’s team at the club level. This new team gives young female cyclists the best conditions to develop their skills.

Switzerland has seen a growing number of talented female cyclists. Until now, most of them trained in mixed teams. To give these athletes better opportunities, three all-women teams will compete in Switzerland in the coming season. Alongside the Nexetis Continental Team and the Ticino Free Time Team, CTO now unites ten elite and U23 cyclists in the SPAR CTO Women’s Team.

CTO has recruited the experienced former elite rider Gerhard Joling as team manager. He will support the cyclists in developing their technical and strategic skills and assist with training plans and race schedules.

Strengthen partnership

Since the start of the partnership with SPAR Switzerland as the main sponsor, CTO has gained more visibility and can now reap the rewards of its five years of development work. CTO has over 60 active members across elite and amateur sports. It has also produced top talent, including Larissa Tschenett, the 2024 National Women’s Cup overall winner.

SPAR Switzerland’s Head of Marketing, Taro Eckstein, and Marketing Manager, Andrea Giger, shared their excitement: “We work closely with CTO and see their fantastic development. We were proud to welcome the team to our central office in Gossau and join the kick-off for the new SPAR CTO Women’s Team. It’s wonderful to support CTO and live out our motto, ‘Better Together,’ while promoting cycling both regionally and nationally.”

For more information on the SPAR CTO Women’s Team click here.

Source: SPAR Switzerland

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About SPAR Switzerland

SPAR Switzerland was founded in 1989. The business grew, combining corporate and independently owned stores, spanning forecourt retailing to large supermarkets. Since 2016, SPAR Switzerland has been a subsidiary of SPAR Group Ltd Southern Africa.