BUCS has signed a deal with the Le Col cycling company ©BUCS

British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) has signed a partnership with performance cycling brand Le Col.

Le Col has become a supporting partner of the BUCS cycling programme and will provide kit under the terms of the deal.

BUCS said the company, which supplies apparel to International Cycling Union WorldTour teams such as Bahrain McLaren, will "grow their support further across the higher education sector, and work with universities and university cycling clubs to offer access to the best cycling kit on the market".

"Le Col has a fantastic reputation in the cycling industry of working with elite athletes, and we are proud to be able to combine that with BUCS’ successful programme of cycling events," BUCS head of events Jo Smith said.

Le Col provides the kit for professional teams including Bahrain McLaren ©Getty Images
Le Col provides the kit for professional teams including Bahrain McLaren ©Getty Images

"We look forward to sharing the success of our athletes with Le Col in the next year and seeing the results of our partnership come to fruition, improving the future of cycling in higher education sport."

Le Col's founder Yanto Barker welcomed the agreement with BUCS.

"From day one, Le Col has been about supporting riders to perform, aspire and achieve on the bike," Barker said.

"Through our partnership with BUCS, we’re eager to back riders testing their limits. 

"Supporting racing and getting behind rider development here in the UK, we chose BUCS for their spirit of healthy competition, and their close fit with our own determination to make kit that delivers on the sport’s biggest stage."