By Emily Goddard

Avanti is the New Zealand Olympic Committee official bike supplier for Glasgow 2014 and Rio 2016 ©Avanti The New Zealand Olympic Committee has named Avanti as its official bike supplier for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Rio 2016 Olympics.

As part of the two-year deal, the bicycle firm - which sponsors the Avanti Racing Team and Avantidrome - will start by providing models for the national squad to use as transportation around the 35 hectare Glasgow Athletes' Village.

This includes 10 black Inc 2 bikes and 20 Metro 2 bikes, as well as locks and helmets, with everything set to be donated to Glasgow-based cycling charity The Bike Station following the conclusion of the Games.

"The Commonwealth Games Village is a large area, and we clock up kilometres every day getting around - from the dining hall to the gym, to the medical clinics and back to our apartments," said New Zealand Olympic Committee chief executive Kereyn Smith.

"Having fantastic Avanti bikes to ride will save our athletes time and ensure they can rest when they need to.

"And what's more they'll be black, sleek and show the rest of the village that we mean business.

"We're also delighted to be teamed with one of the most advanced racing bike providers in the world.

"The Avanti bikes certainly stand out on the race track."

As well as riding an Avanti bike around the Glasgow 2014 Athletes' Village, sprint cyclist Stephanie McKenzie will ride one on the track at the Commonwealth Games ©Getty ImagesAs well as riding an Avanti bike around the Glasgow 2014 Athletes' Village, sprint cyclist Stephanie McKenzie will ride one on the track at the Commonwealth Games ©Getty Images


Avanti founder John Struthers spoke of his firm's pride in supporting the New Zealand team at both Glasgow 2014 and Rio 2016.

"We're committed to cycling and we're honoured to be working with our Kiwi athletes to help achieve their sporting dreams," he added.

"We wish New Zealander, Stephanie McKenzie, every success at the Commonwealth Games as she rides the high performance Avanti Pista Evo II track frame.

"While some athletes will be riding Avanti at the Games, we are here to support all the New Zealand athletes in Glasgow.

"Our research team work hard to continually develop our Avanti Design Technology, using leading edge technology right here in New Zealand, to provide bikes for family recreation through to high performance cycling teams."

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