The Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor has announced that they will sponsor Edinburgh Road Club/The Bicycleworks, one of the UK’s biggest cycling clubs.
The sponsorship deal will see the hotel’s logo appear on the club’s kit, website and race support vehicle.
As well as providing a four figure sum in direct financial support to the club, the hotel will provide a base for the club’s committees, and offer a number of discounts to club members. Plans are also underway for the development of a themed cycling bar, which the club will use to promote events for club members and cycling generally.
ERC’s President, Ken Whitson, (former Scottish sprint champion and Commonwealth games rider) commented:
“This is a fantastic development for ERC. The sponsorship from the Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor will help us with our ambitious plans to develop the club’s ability to compete at all levels in the UK. Their support ensures that our Women’s Race Squad gets off to a flying start as they are now funded to compete in England as well as Scotland”.
Guy Hilton, General Manager of the Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor, said:
“Sport is a personal passion and, as a consequence, we are delighted to be associated with Edinburghrc. We look forward to developing our relationship with the Club and its members, and supporting the Women’s Race Squad to allow them to compete at the highest level.
“This opportunity will allow the membership of ERC to enjoy the benefits of being supported by the No.1 hotel brand, whilst enjoying, on a local basis, all that the recently refurbished Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor has to offer.”
Edinburgh RC/The Bicycleworks was established as a cycling club in 1925, and with over 400 members, is one of the biggest and most active cycling clubs in the UK. ERC members are involved in all aspects of cycling, from social riding to competition at national level. Members compete in road racing, time-trialling, track, triathlon and mountain-biking. ERC welcomes new members of all ages and ability.
The club’s newly formed Women’s Race Squad consists of 20 riders including current Scottish champions Pippa Handley (current Scottish 25 and Olympic TT champion, 10th in UCI ranked Chrono des Nations, 7th British TT Champs 2006, 9th British 10 champs 2006),and Jessica Wilson-Young (current Scottish 50 and BAR champion), Jenny Wright (former Scottish multi TT champion) and Jo Merrit (formerly Cavill,former GB international and Commonwealth Games rider), and Louisa Edmonston, (elite triathlete and silver in Scottish Olympic TT 2006).
The team will be managed by Jackie Reid, (former Scottish mountain bike champion) who has extensive riding and management experience.
The decision to promote a commercially backed women’s squad based in Scotland has already attracted considerable interest within the cycling fraternity. The team’s target programme includes the British time trial and road championships, Rudy Project time trial series, women’s team series, and the women’s criterium in London on 8 July.
Edinburghrc has committed a four figure sum to back the squad this season. In addition to the Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor, commercial backing is coming from, from Glenrental Ltd, a car and van rental business serving Cumbria and south-west Scotland (www.glenrental.co.uk.).
Further sponsorship opportunities particularly tyre and nutrition product support are being sought.
The squad will also be supported by the club’s extensive pool of coaches, and can call upon the vast experience and knowledge of club members Steve and Julie Paulding, who have enjoyed success at British and international level.
See the ERC Web site for more details.
For further information, contact
Mark Finlay
Vice President (Sponsorship)
Edinburghrc
07977 182 120
mailto:mark.finlay@brodies.co.uk
or Neil Muir
Publicity Officer
Edinburghrc
0131 347 1347
neil.muir@virgin.net
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