Bic (cycling team)

The Bic cycling team was a professional road bicycle racing team that existed from 1967 to 1974. It was sponsored by Société Bic, a French manufacturing company best known for its disposable ballpoint pens, lighters, and razors.

The team achieved considerable success during its relatively short existence, becoming one of the dominant forces in professional cycling. Key riders included Jacques Anquetil (1967-1969), who was nearing the end of his career but still provided leadership and significant victories, and Luis Ocaña (1971-1974), who challenged Eddy Merckx for Tour de France supremacy and won the race in 1973. Other notable riders included Jan Janssen, Jean Stablinski, and Cyrille Guimard.

The team's distinctive jersey featured the Bic logo prominently, making it easily recognizable in the peloton. Bic's involvement in cycling was a significant marketing strategy, associating their brand with the sport's popularity and prestige.

Despite its success, the Bic team folded at the end of the 1974 season. The reasons for the team's disbandment are complex, but are generally attributed to a combination of factors, including rising costs, internal conflicts, and a change in Société Bic's marketing strategy. The legacy of the Bic cycling team remains significant, remembered for its strong riders, notable victories, and its impact on the professional cycling landscape of the late 1960s and early 1970s.