Panasonic (cycling team)

The Panasonic cycling team was a professional cycling team that competed from 1984 to 1992. Sponsored by the Japanese electronics manufacturer Panasonic, the team achieved significant success in major cycling events throughout its existence.

The team was known for attracting and developing talented cyclists from various countries. Notable riders who rode for Panasonic include Phil Anderson, Erik Breukink, Eddy Planckaert, Peter Winnen, Viatcheslav Ekimov, and Olaf Ludwig.

During its years in the peloton, the Panasonic team participated in and won stages and overall classifications in Grand Tours (Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, Vuelta a España), Classics (e.g., Paris-Roubaix, Liège-Bastogne-Liège), and other prestigious races. The team's successes contributed to the visibility of the Panasonic brand in Europe and worldwide.

The team's management evolved over the years, and its infrastructure and support staff were considered highly professional. The team's bikes were initially manufactured by Eddy Merckx, later by Colnago.

The Panasonic cycling team ceased operations at the end of the 1992 season. The reasons for the team's disbandment were related to a combination of factors, including sponsorship changes and strategic shifts within Panasonic. Despite its relatively short lifespan, the Panasonic team is remembered as a significant force in professional cycling during the late 1980s and early 1990s.