Red Bull takes over German cycling team Bora-hansgrohe

Red Bull completed the takeover of top German cycling team Bora-hansgrohe on Thursday, just days before the start of the Giro d'Italia.

Red Bull insignia, which is seen in various sports ranging from football to Formula One, will only be apparent from the start of the Tour de France on June 29 in Florence.

The official name of the team will initially be Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe and they will still race under a German licence despite the Red Bull energy drink and sports empire being based in Austria.

"Our goal is to become the benchmark in terms of sport and finance," team manager Ralph Denk said in a statement.

An annual budget of €25 million ($26.8 million) is set to rise to €45 million thanks to Red Bull's investment, sources close to the matter told dpa.

Such financial backing would put the German team on a par with Team UAE of double Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, who starts the Giro on Saturday as favourite.

Up until now, Red Bull had only sponsored individual cyclists and not a team.