Skil (cycling team)

Skil was a professional cycling team that existed in various iterations from the 1970s through the 1980s and again in the 2000s and early 2010s. The team was primarily known for its association with the power tool manufacturer Skil. Throughout its history, Skil operated under different sponsorships and management, leading to variations in its official team name and composition.

The original Skil cycling team was active in the late 1970s and early 1980s, often featuring prominent riders and competing in major European races, including the Tour de France. During this period, the team achieved considerable success, winning stages in Grand Tours and other prestigious events. Riders wore jerseys prominently displaying the Skil logo, associating the brand with the sport of cycling.

A later iteration of the team, known as Skil-Shimano, emerged in the 2000s, sponsored by both Skil and the Japanese cycling component manufacturer Shimano. This team focused on developing young riders and participating in UCI Continental and UCI ProContinental circuits. Skil-Shimano notably progressed through the cycling ranks, eventually gaining UCI ProTeam status and receiving invitations to compete in the Tour de France.

Following the end of Skil's sponsorship, the team continued under different names and sponsors, evolving into other prominent cycling teams. The legacy of the Skil cycling team remains as a significant part of cycling history, remembered for its association with a recognizable brand and its contribution to the development of cycling talent.