The newest player in the road component market is apparently not being hesitant in its efforts to make a name for itself in racing circles.

SRAM announced that it has signed a second ProTour-level cycling sponsorship after having reached an agreement to supply the reorganized Astana team with components.

In a release issued Monday, the Chicago-based component company pointed to the light weight of its RED group as the reason Astana director Johan Bruyneel showed interest in the deal.

The company’s top-of-the-line RED group weighs in at 1928 grams, something that caught Bruyneel’s attention.

“Johan’s proven leadership and legacy of success was the perfect opportunity for us to demonstrate the pure advantages of our road drivetrain and, most specifically, RED,” said SRAM’s Global Marketing Director, David Zimberoff. “Prior to the agreement we had Alberto Contador and Levi Leipheimer test ride RED groupsets and they gave enthusiastic thumbs up. That is the type of verification that excites us at SRAM and we are truly looking forward to 2008.”

“There are always opportunities,” said Michael Zellmann, SRAM’s PR and Media manager regarding how the Astana relationship begain. “Every team in some form or fashion is looking for something especially from a broad component manufacturer, such as SRAM. We make everything. And year-to-year we’re always in touch with teams and teams are always in touch with us, so we have relationships with most teams.” “The agreement was reached before [Chris] Horner was signed,” Zellmann said. “Having Levi [Leipheimer] on the team was [a big deal], you know, he’s probably the highest profile American on the circuit at this point.” “Both riders [Leipheimer and Contador] suggested that they would be taking full advantage of the shifter and brake lever reach adjustment,” said Zellmann.

SRAM recently finalized its purchase of Zipp Speed Weaponry, but Zellmann had no comment when asked if Zipp would be joining the team as well. While the team has now locked in a component supplier for the coming season, several other sponsorship deals have yet to be announced, including that of frame supplier. Scott Daubert, road bike brand manager at Trek recently told VeloNews that the company has been in talks with Astana, but said no deal had yet been signed.

"We're still kind of here and there," Daubert said. "It's really late to be jumping on board with somebody. But we had been with Johan forever and ever and it was hard to go and look at other teams. We did have some other discussions with other teams that we liked, but those doors have since shut."

Coincedentally, the SRAM release was accompanied by a photo of Zimberoff and Bruyneel with a Trek bicycle in the background.

“The significance of that Trek, if any, is that Johan has been working with Trek for a long, long time so that’s probably the equipment he has,” Zellmann said. “If they installed it [Red] on anything they would use no brand other than Trek.” “This is really, really big for us,” said Zellmann. “In a year and a half it’s been quite a leap, beginning with several strong domestic programs and now equipping the Tour de France Champion, we’re truly excited.”