Velon, the group of leading professional road cycling teams, has added seven more international outfits to its line-up for 2018.

Partnership agreements have been signed with Team Dimension Data (South Africa), Bardiani CSF (Italy), Caja Rural-Seguros RGA (Spain), Gazprom-Rusvelo (Russia), Israel Cycling Academy, NIPPO Vini Fantini Europa Ovini (Italy) and Team Cofidis (France).

The agreements mean that the teams will be included in the Velon content offering, which demonstrates the performances of riders via live data and video shared with the race organisers, teams, broadcasters and fans. It also employs GoPro camera footage to immerse viewers in the peloton.

There are now 17 teams in the Velon stable. 

Velon data has been utilised at this year's Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Strade Bianche, and will also be used at the Giro d'Italia, Tour of Flanders and tomorrow's Milan-San Remo.

Graham Bartlett, chief executive of Velon, said: “This represents a major landmark for Velon and we’re delighted to welcome all seven teams on board. The thinking behind Velon is all about partnerships, we believe in working for each other and sharing. It's the way we see the future growth in cycling’s popularity and how we achieve deeper fan engagement for the sport – something all of the teams work so hard for.”

Sportcal