Team Bahrain Victorious has announced its team name and race kit for 2021. The announcement comes after a period of instability and uncertainty for the team, with McLaren dropping its secondary sponsorship of the team and team principal Rod Ellingworth stepping down after just 18 months in the position. According to a press release issued Monday, the team name and new kit are part of a "change in strategic direction." Italian brand Nalini has joined as kit supplier, and Le Corre has ended its cooperation with the team.

The Gulf team had big plans for the 2020 season, with hopes for Mikel Landa's success in the Tour de France. An investment from McLaren would have helped the team improve its roster for the upcoming season in order to challenge for major honors, but the COVID-19 pandemic shook the team's financial stability.

McLaren's business was forced to stop manufacturing cars, and more than 1,000 staff members were made redundant. Cycling team staff and riders were forced to keep their wages unchanged by up to 70% during the spring, and Jack Hague was the only high-profile rider to sign on during the summer.

In December, Cycling News reported Ellingworth's departure from the team, and the former coach headed back to the Ineos Grenadiers after less than two years away from the team.

The team was unable to find a replacement sponsor for McLaren, while the second member of the team's senior management team, John Allert, now director, is stepping down at the end of the season. With the departure of Allert and Ellingworth, only Milan Erzen will be left in charge of team operations, but current sporting director Vladimir Miholievic will step up and take on greater responsibility.

The team, which has no secondary sponsor, will be funded by founder Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who created the World Tour team in 2016.

"Cycling is one of the most challenging sports that requires dedication, discipline, and perseverance. These values are necessary to take on the challenge of an endurance sport that can promote a better lifestyle for all. Team Bahrain Victorious will reflect our vision of building a performance-first team that aims to inspire and win at the highest level," he said in a press release.

The new jerseys feature the logo of Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO), Bahrain's state-owned oil company. Merida will remain the team's bike supplier in 2021 and has been with the team since its inaugural year.