With the announcement that the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) is to become a new principal sponsor of the Rutland – Melton CiCLE Classic, comes a change of name for the race, but also security for the international format of the event through 2007 and 2008.
The new name for Britain’s only single day international race will be the East Midlands International CiCLE Classic (Rutland – Melton) with immediate effect, and reflects the widening appeal of the race from that of simply a sporting event, into a vehicle for publicising the region and its attractions as a whole.
“Following the earlier decision of EMDA to sponsor a team of young East Midlands riders to represent the region in this years CiCLE Classic, the addition of EMDA to the growing list of principal sponsors of the race alongside Masterfoods and East Midlands Airport is wonderful news” declared Race Director Colin Clews.” Over the past two years the CiCLE Classic has established itself not only as a major sporting event, but also as an example of how to involve local communities and businesses who then share in the benefits that such activities bring to the region,” continued Clews. “I am absolutely delighted that EMDA have recognised this and been prepared to invest in the development of the CiCLE Classic at a time of its rapid expansion onto the international cycling scene, bringing continental as well as increased national attention to the race.”
Tracy Croft, East Midlands Coordinator for the 2012 Games at EMDA commented “The East Midlands International CiCLE Classic is becoming an increasingly important fixture on Europe’s cycling calendar. We have a great opportunity to secure the future of the event in the region and build on its excellent reputation as a means of involving even more people in the sport through the CiCLE Challenge and raising the profile of the East Midlands in the run up to the London 2012 Games”
EMDA’s sponsorship will initially be for a period of two years, and will; as with the other principal sponsors; also extend to the growing number of events being organised under the CiCLE banner; including the East Midlands CiCLE Challenge mass participation rides in May. As far as the CiCLE Classic is concerned, this period will cover the crucial introduction to the race of leading professional teams from European countries in which cycle racing has long been considered on a par with professional football and rugby. In 2007, at least six European professional squads will be in action in the CiCLE Classic, providing the largest foreign contingent in a British cycle race for many years; outside of a major national ‘Tour’.
For further information:
Colin l Clews, CiCLE Classic Race Director.
Tel: 01572 787726
Mob: 07979 856262
Email: colin.l.clews@btinternet.com
web: www.cicleclassic.co.uk
Caroline Shutter, East Midlands Development Agency
Tel: 0115 988 8540
Email: carolineshutter@emd.org.uk
Issued: 12:00 noon. Tuesday 13th February 2007.
“Watch the race on Cycling.tv and British Eurosport”