• Four more years of support for cycling from playground to podium
• On track to achieve goal of one million extra people regularly cycling by 2013
• 688,000 new regular cyclists shows unprecedented growth in UK cycling

British Cycling today announced a further four years of the partnership with Sky as its role as Principal Partner is extended to the end of 2016. The “unique nature” of the partnership between British Cycling and Sky, has been a key factor in cycling’s phenomenal success story, Ian Drake, British Cycling’s Chief Executive said today.

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. 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, Sky Chief Executive, said: "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."

Four times Olympic champion and long standing Sky Ride ambassador, Sir Chris Hoy, commented: "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."

Sky’s partnership with British Cycling supports all levels of cycling, across all disciplines, and aims to encourage more people to ride. Already, almost 700,000 more people across the UK are riding regularly (at least once a month or 12 times per year) through the Sky Ride campaign.

Sky Ride has offered mass participation rides on traffic-free streets, with over 200,000 people participating in over 20 city events last summer alone. Alongside, Sky Ride Local events offer people of all ages and abilities the chance to join small, weekly community rides guided by a British Cycling trained leader. Now available in 45 council partnerships, these led rides have evolved to create new activities like Breeze, a series of fun bikes rides led by women for women and - Social Cycling groups – which encourage an informal network of riding groups across the UK.

Sky’s investment has also supported the grassroots programmes Go Ride and Go Ride Racing, which give young riders their first taste of the sport and competitive action in order to hone their cycling skills, together with a crucial first step for those on the path to the Great Britain Cycling Team ranks.

Elite success is also used to inspire and excite. Beyond the support for Great Britain's track, road, BMX and Mountain-bike riders, the creation of Team Sky has given Britain a winning presence on the international road racing circuit. As well as enjoying impressive performances in their own right, the impact has been felt across the Olympic programme. Riders who compete on both the road and track are able to have their training and performance schedules controlled in parallel to ensure they can deliver at their peak when it matters most.

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Images: Please go to the Sky Image Library or the British Cycling Image Library on Flickr to view and download rights free images. Please don’t forget to credit www.britishcycling.org.uk

About British Cycling

British Cycling is the national governing body for cycling as recognised by the UCI – the international federation for the sport. As such, British Cycling works across all levels and six disciplines of the sport (BMX, Mountain Bike, Cyclo-Cross, Road, Track and Cycle Speedway), from providing the support and encouragement people need to get riding their bikes for the first time, to being home to the hugely successful Great Britain Cycling Team. Continued success at the highest level is inspiring a boom in participation across the nation. There have never been more opportunities to ride a bike, be it for fun or sport, and British Cycling is at the heart of this growth. British Cycling also works hard to represent cyclists’ interests at all levels, including campaigning on important issues including road safety. As a membership organisation, British Cycling provides a suite of benefits and support to its members who currently number over 47,000. All membership revenue is invested back into cycling.

About Sky

Sky has been British Cycling’s Principal Partner from an elite level including Team GB and Team Sky, to grass roots encouraging people whatever their age or ability to get on their bikes and have fun, since 2008. Together with British Cycling Sky has a target to inspire one million more people cycling regularly (at least once a month or 12 times over a year) by 2013. In 2009 Sky announced the formation of Team Sky, a professional road racing team which aims to be the first British winner of the Tour de France within five years. As part of its support for encouraging more people to cycle, within its own business Sky is encouraging more of its people to cycle through a variety of cycling events and facilities including a cycling club, buddy system, bike hire and an on-site cycle shop & mechanic. There are currently 30% of Sky employees who cycle regularly.

Contact details:

Kirsty McCaskill, British Cycling, Corporate Communications Manager
email: kirstymccaskill@britishcycling.org.uk

Clara Eldridge, Sky 
email: clara.eldridge@bskyb.com

Pete Maxwell, British Cycling, Communications Officer
email: petermaxwell@britishcycling.org.uk