Cinelli has announced a new partnership with German Continental pro cycling outfit Bike Aid, backing the team in its drive to support African athletes and cycling.
The partnership means that, across the 2026 season, Bike Aid will have a fleet of custom team edition Pressure II performance road bikes for training and racing.
For 2026, the team’s custom bikes will see a coming together of the two brands through design, with Cinelli’s lively aesthetic combining with Bike Aid’s identity and African culture and through artistic iconography and visuals dotted throughout the frame.
“Our partnership with Bike Aid represents much more than just the support for a pro cycling team,” explained Victor Luis, Chairman & CEO of Cinelli. “With this collaboration we’re looking to create new, meaningful and deep connections with German and African cycling and to help a number of riders make the next step in their cycling careers.
“Bike Aid’s work is one that resonated with us from the moment we started to speak with the team and hear about its mission, one that goes beyond sporting results and performance. They are unique in their purpose and passion so we’re proud to be working together to help tell their stories and spotlight riders who without the help of Bike Aid’s unique member-based structure and support wouldn’t necessarily otherwise be able to pursue their goals on two wheels.”
Bike Aid insights
Bike Aid’s racing history dates back to 2005 when first established as a cycling community that has since grown to over 1,200 members, making it one of the largest cycling communities in Germany.
In 2014, the organisation registered the Bike Aid Continental Team for its debut season, creating a platform and pathway for riders from Africa to compete internationally alongside German teammates, and aiding the fulfilment of their sportive dreams.
For 2026, Bike Aid features a roster of 13 riders, with three from Eritrea – last year’s Junior Eritrean Road Race Champion Nahom Efriem, Yoel Habteab and Even Yemane.
Matthias Schnapka, Team Founder commented: “Since 2014, we have been searching for a bike partner who shares our values and wants to change and enrich cycling together with us. Our visit to Cinelli in Milan felt like coming home. We met incredible, warm-hearted people working with true passion.
We were able to experience the remarkable history of Cinelli and Columbus, while at the same time feeling the vibrant colors and energy of an exceptionally dynamic brand. We are incredibly proud to have our athletes racing on Cinelli bikes.”
Since the Bike Aid community was originally founded, over €1,063,000 in donations have been raised and distributed to support social projects.
