Garmin-Transitions new name for Jonathan Vaughter's team in 2010

Jonathan Vaughters
Courtesy of Wikipedia.org

With its third name in four years, the current Team Garmin-Slipstream squad, which placed Bradley Wiggins and Christian Vande Velde in the top-10 overall standings of the Tour de France, will compete as a ProTour team in 2010 as Garmin-Transitions.

Jonathan Vaughters, the team's manager, said:

"Our riders are constantly going through different lighting conditions. If we can increase visual acuity and reduce visual fatigue, that gives us a big advantage on the road. Like the team, Transitions is driven by innovation and a commitment to excellence. We are thrilled to work with them."

Transitions Optical, was the first commercially successful manufacturer of photochromic lenses, which darken or lighten depending on depending on the lighting.

Details of the title sponsorship were not disclosed, except that the agreement is "long-term."

Vaughters' team started as a third division or Continental team and grew to a first division, ProTour. Chipotle restaurants sponsored the team in 2007 and 2008, when it raced in the second division. Garmin joined as primary sponsor in 2008 and helped the team gain ProTour status this season.

Garmin is a USA-based manufacturer of portable navigation devices using the Global Positioning System (GPS). Slipstream Sports is the marketing and development company that helps support the team.