Saxo Bank to Take Over Full Title Sponsorship of Riis Cycling

Hellerup, Denmark, November 16 (ots/PRNewswire) -

Saxo Bank, the trading and investment specialist, will take over
the full title sponsorship of Riis Cycling in 2012. In 2011 the
sponsorship was held jointly with SunGard, one of the world's leading
software and technology services companies, but Saxo Bank has now
decided to exercise an option to step up and become the sole title
sponsor. All three parties have agreed that the timing is now right
for a smooth transition, where SunGard will discontinue its
sponsorship.

Saxo Bank has sponsored Riis Cycling since 2008, and Saxo Bank's
decision to once again become sole title sponsor of the team is based
on a genuine wish to support the team and a commercial decision to
further build on the advantages that Saxo Bank believes are extended
through this additional commitment to Riis Cycling.

Team owner Bjarne Riis says:

"Since 2008 Saxo Bank and Riis Cycling have proven to be a great
match. I am proud that a truly professional company such as Saxo Bank
not only continues to see the commercial benefits in sponsoring our
teams, but also shows its commitment and faith in our work by
stepping up to become the sole title sponsor. This is evidence of a
great partnership, and I'm convinced there are many more gains to be
realized from this relationship in the future."

In a joint statement, Kim Fournais and Lars Seier Christensen,
co-CEOs and co-founders of Saxo Bank, say:

"Saxo Bank was offered an option to become the sole title sponsor
of Riis Cycling, which was an offer we could not turn down. From the
outset, we have sincerely wanted to support Bjarne Riis and his team
and with our continued geographical expansion, the sponsorship also
makes good sense commercially. While the decision to continue as full
title sponsor is a strategic one, our past collaboration with the
team has been fantastic, and we are looking forward to watching Team
Saxo Bank race across the streets of the world in 2012."

SunGard became a sponsor of Riis Cycling below title level in
2010. This paved the way for SunGard to announce the co-title
sponsorship deal for 2011 and 2012 during the 2010 Tour de France.

Bjarne Riis says:

"We have had a great partnership with SunGard, and I'm forever
grateful for SunGard believing in us and stepping up to sponsoring
the team at title level at what was a very difficult moment for the
team, but SunGard did never hide that this wasn't part of their
long-term strategy."

With Saxo Bank ready to take over the full title sponsorship
again, the parties have agreed for SunGard to step down and terminate
SunGard's deal for next year. The agreement has no influence on the
2012 team budget.

George Thomas, SunGard's vice president of communications said:

"We have had a successful partnership with Riis Cycling over the
past two years and we are pleased that we were part of the team's
success. The decision to end our sponsorship was a business decision
and not related to the team. We know we are leaving them with a great
sponsor in Saxo Bank and we wish them much continued success."

In 2012 the name of the professional cycling team will be "Team
Saxo Bank Professional Cycling Team."

Bjarne Riis and Lars Seier Christensen will be available for
interviews with the media from 11-13 today at Saxo Bank's headquarter
in Tuborg Havn.

Rückfragehinweis:
For press inquiries: Anders Damgaard, Communications Manager,
Riis Cycling, Mob: +45-28-68-20-38,
[email protected]; Kasper Elbjørn, Head of Group Public Relations,
Saxo
Bank, Mob: +45-3065-4300, [email protected]

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