·         BRADLEY WIGGINS: TOUR OF DUTY documentary to also air later this year

Following this weekend’s spectacular Tour de France finale, Sky Atlantic HD announce that on Thursday 30 August at 8pm, five part series BRITISH CYCLING: THE ROAD TO GLORY will debut on the channel. Forming part of Sky’s investment in home grown content, the Twofour produced series will focus on the world of cycling, following some of the most high profile names in the sport, including Tour de France 2012 winner Bradley Wiggins.

BRITISH Cycling: Road to GLORY will offer an insight into the inner workings and stars of both the professional road outfit Team Sky and the national British Cycling team. It will lay bare the extraordinary physical, psychological and tactical dimensions of both professional cycling and the bid for continued Olympic success at London 2012. The series will also feature key coaches behind the bid, including Dave Brailsford, Performance Director of British Cycling and Team Principal for Team Sky.

Also airing later this year will be one-off documentary BRADLEY WIGGINS: TOUR OF DUTY, which will give a no-holds barred look at how one of Britain’s brightest sport stars balances his professional and personal life. Cameras will follow Olympic Gold medallist Wiggins across some of Europe’s toughest races as he trains for the Tour De France and succeeds in becoming the first British rider to win cycling’s most iconic professional race. The documentary will also look to capture the personality of Wiggins as he trains and competes for the Tour, following his journey and speaking to those closest to him. The film will be directed by John Dower (Thriller in Manila).

The documentaries form part of Sky Atlantic HD’s commissioning and acquisition strategy to bring the most compelling stories exclusively to Sky customers. Its stellar schedule includes Boardwalk Empire and The Newsroom, plus UK-originations The British, the channel’s first foray into high-end factual, and Julia Davis and Kathy Burke comedies Hunderby and Walking and Talking.

Sky has been the principal partner of British Cycling since early 2008 and is committed to the partnership until the end of 2016. The main aim of this partnership is to get one million more people cycling regularly (once a month or at least 12 times per year) by 2013. Sky and British Cycling have a shared vision to build an epic success story for British sport for today and in the future.

BRITISH CYCLING: THE ROAD TO GLORY will exclusively air on Sky Atlantic HD and Sky Atlantic from Thursday 30 August at 8pm. BRADLEY WIGGINS: TOUR OF DUTY will follow later in the year.

Following the addition of Sky Atlantic HD to Sky Go, customers will also be able to watch them both on the move on iPad, selected smartphones and laptops at no extra cost.

Notes to editor

About Sky

 

Sky entertains and excites more than 10.4 million homes through the most comprehensive multichannel, multi-platform television service in the UK and Ireland. Sky continues to break new ground with its own portfolio of channels: Sky 1 combines its commitment to UK production with the best of the US; Sky Living pushes ahead with fresh and innovative entertainment formats; Sky Arts is the UK's only dedicated arts channel brand; Sky Atlantic is the home to HBO and other iconic drama and comedy, Sky Sports is still raising the bar in sports broadcasting; Sky News remains a pioneer in television news; and Sky Movies is leading the way in High Definition and on-demand.

 

Sky also works with dozens of other broadcasters on the satellite platform, as well as online and on mobile through the ground-breaking Sky Go service.  Sky has also led the UK into the age of high definition television, launched Europe's first 3DTV channel, Sky 3D, and offers customer even more flexibility and choice through Sky Anytime+, its internet-delivered video on demand service.   Since launching Sky Broadband and Sky Talk in 2006, the company has also been the UK's fastest-growing home communications provider.

 

Sky believes in making a wider contribution to the communities in which it operates, not least by increasing participation in, and access to, the arts, supporting grassroots sports, and taking positive action on the environment.

 

About Sky and Cycling

 

·         Sky is the principal partner of British Cycling the governing body for cycling in the UK, both at an elite and grass root level. The partnership is working towards a shared goal, to get 1 million more people cycling regularly by 2013.

 

·         In the last three years of the partnership British Cycling and Sky are proud to have inspired almost 700,000 people to cycle regularly (at least once a month or 12 times per year)

 

·         Sky Ride City rides are free one day cycling events offering people of all ages and abilities the chance to ride their bike on traffic free streets or on cycle paths/parks in the heart of major cities and towns across Britain.

 

·         Last year there were over 17 Sky Ride City events taking place across the UK in major cities and towns like Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Southampton, London, and Hull and over 200,000 people took part in a Sky Ride event. In 2012 there will be 17 Sky Ride city events taking place across the UK giving more people the chance to get out on their bikes.

 

·         Sky Ride Local rides are led by British Cycling Ride Leaders who will guide you through the best routes and are on hand to provide friendly encouragement and guidance, whatever your age or ability.

 

·         There are a range of ride levels to suit all ages and abilities from a beginner who wants to enjoy a leisurely ride off road to challenging rides that include some roads and some hills. Last year saw 825 Sky Ride Locals taking place across the UK with 10,416 people taking part.

 

·         Currently three times more men cycle for fun than women but together British Cycling and Sky want to change that and now through activities like Sky Ride and The Breeze Network they’re starting to close that gap. British Cycling’s Breeze Network is a national network of fun, easy and informal bike rides tailored specifically for women.

 

·         It’s an exciting year for cycling; Sky and British Cycling want the nation to come together and are inviting everyone to get out on their bikes and get involved on www.goskyride.com