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Sky extends British Cycling sponsorship by four more years to end of 2016

Broadcaster continues backing of sport from top stars down to grassroots level

British Cycling and Sky have today announced a four-year extension to their partnership under which the broadcaster sponsors not only Britain’s leading riders on the track and, through Team Sky, the road, but also grassroots initiatives such as Go Ride and Sky Ride which the governing body says has helped fuel the growth in cycling in the country in recent years.

According to British Cycling, the Sky Ride series – more than 20 were held in major towns and cities last year, supported by a further 45 smaller Sky Ride Local events, plus many more weekly rides in partnership with local authorities – have helped encourage nearly 700,000 to start riding a bike regularly.

Commenting on the new deal which extends Sky’s sponsorship until the end of 2016, British Cycling Chief Executive Ian Drake said: “I’m delighted that Sky has committed to working with us for a further four year period.

“The unique nature of our partnership with Sky has been a key factor in cycling’s phenomenal success story, perfectly complementing the support we receive from UK Sport and Sport England.

“The growth of our sport over the past four years has been amazing. Not only have our Olympic and Paralympic riders continued to deliver on the world stage, but we’ve also seen the emergence of Team Sky as a force on the road scene,” he continued.

“Being a world leading cycling nation isn’t just about winning medals – it’s also about inspiring everyone to get on a bike, from the playground right through to the podium.

“That’s exactly what initiatives like Sky Ride have achieved and we’re well on track to reaching our target of getting one million more people cycling by 2013.

“I’m proud of what we have achieved through our partnership with Sky, and I look forward to delivering even greater success over the next few years.”

Jeremy Darroch, Chief Executive of Sky, added: “We are proud of the partnership we have with British Cycling and look forward to four more years supporting the sport.

“Our aim has always been to increase participation, support the leading riders and inspire the next generation.

“We know we are making a difference and getting people involved, right across the UK, just as we have through our broad contribution to sport over the last 20 years.

“This is proof that sport can really benefit in the long-term through a partnership with Sky.”

One of the athletes to have benefited from Sky’s backing of the sport which spans the track, road, mountain bike and BMX disciplines is multiple world and Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy, who said: “We’ve all seen the difference that Sky can make in cycling.

“Through events like Sky Ride – opening up cities for families or providing local led rides – they have helped get people back on their bikes.

“Their work with British Cycling has got more people to understand and enjoy the sport we’re all passionate about. And the support for elite riders has helped the current team and will go on to support the next generation,” he added.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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13 comments

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Doctor Fegg | 12 years ago
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As long as the TdF stays on free-to-air I'm happy...

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belgravedave replied to Doctor Fegg | 12 years ago
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Good point.... The massive elephant in the room that everyone else is ignoring.

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kylemalco | 12 years ago
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I hope g and wiggo get their hair cut soon

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Gkam84 replied to kylemalco | 12 years ago
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kylemalco wrote:

I hope g and wiggo get their hair cut soon

Nah i think that hair is staying, he's going for the mod look, You seen his new name up the side of his kit?

http://sports.orange.fr/orange/images/201217/826-wiggo1.jpg

http://bicycling.com/blogs/thisjustin/files/2012/04/wiggins-wins-tour-ro...

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TheHatter | 12 years ago
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Is Cav standing on a box in that photo?

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mustard replied to TheHatter | 12 years ago
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TheHatter wrote:

Is Cav standing on a box in that photo?

G and Victoria are holding him off the ground  21

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winprint | 12 years ago
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Bit are they fit and proper?

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Coleman | 12 years ago
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If I had known this I would have gone into the bib printing business. Looking forward to the next London Skyride.

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Simon_MacMichael replied to Coleman | 12 years ago
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Coleman wrote:

If I had known this I would have gone into the bib printing business. Looking forward to the next London Skyride.

I was sitting outside local pub last year with a Team Sky cap on, windows were being cleaned by someone wearing a (rather filthy) Sky Ride bib. Awkward glances were exchanged.

 4

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Coleman replied to Simon_MacMichael | 12 years ago
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Simon_MacMichael wrote:
Coleman wrote:

If I had known this I would have gone into the bib printing business. Looking forward to the next London Skyride.

I was sitting outside local pub last year with a Team Sky cap on, windows were being cleaned by someone wearing a (rather filthy) Sky Ride bib. Awkward glances were exchanged.

 4

Was he/ she a 50s style window cleaner carrying a timber ladder on a sit up and beg?

That's a collection of words I don't get to use in one sentence very often.

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Simon_MacMichael replied to Coleman | 12 years ago
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Coleman wrote:

Was he/ she a 50s style window cleaner carrying a timber ladder on a sit up and beg?

I'm probably being dense, but that's gone way over my head. Anyway... white van (dirty enough to have the 'please clean me' etc, oh the irony) and modern ladders.

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Coleman replied to Simon_MacMichael | 12 years ago
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Simon_MacMichael wrote:
Coleman wrote:

Was he/ she a 50s style window cleaner carrying a timber ladder on a sit up and beg?

I'm probably being dense, but that's gone way over my head. Anyway... white van (dirty enough to have the 'please clean me' etc, oh the irony) and modern ladders.

Something like this:

http://www.igg.org.uk/gansg/00-app1/trademen.htm

Yep, irony. I used to rent a house from a roofer. The roof leaked.

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notfastenough | 12 years ago
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Good news.

Can't help thinking that where other teams are fending off doping scandals and worrying that the sponsor might pull out - contrasting with this case, where the sponsor is fending off adverse publicity surrounding the murdochs and can use the media exposure associating them with a healthy/family outdoor pursuit...

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