The Ballymena riders receive the new ‘Powered by Chain Reaction Cycles’ kit

Ballymena Road Club has landed a three-year sponsorship deal with the biggest online cycling retailer in the world, Chain Reaction Cycles.

The club’s new kit and news of the sponsorship deal have both been made public at a presentation in the company’s headquarters in the village of Doagh, near Ballyclare in Co Antrim.

Ballymena Road Club chairman Jim Burns said given the economic uncertainty in Ireland it was hugely satisfying for his members to have the backing of such a well known Irish-based international brand.

“In these days of uncertainty it means so much to Ballymena Road Club to have support from such an international company as Chain Reaction Cycles, and indeed great to see that the company are supporting local cycling,” he said.

“On behalf of the whole club I would like to thank the company for their generous support.”

The club’s new blue kit was officially presented to members by Chain Reaction Cycles’ directors Michael Murdock and Nick Redman.

Murdock said he and his colleagues had enjoyed welcoming the riders and club officials to the company’s Doagh offices.

“I’m delighted that we can support such an active local club, continuing our reinvestment into local cycling.”

Despite the vast commercial size of the new backer, the club will also retain long term sponsor Northstone; a major construction contractor and building materials company. It will now sponsor the club’s 24-date midweek road race and TT series. Northstone will also be a secondary sponsor of the club’s new kit.

The club’s new sponsor, Chain Reaction Cycles is now a global brand having started life in 1984 as the Ballynure Cycles shop in the village of Ballynure near Ballyclare in Co Antrim.

Started by George and Janice Watson, in 1989 it moved to Ballyclare and rebranded itself Chain Reaction Cycles; selling bikes and a full range of components and clothing all via mail order.

It later launched its chainreactioncycles.com site and since then has become a global player in the bike business, reporting pre tax profits of £13.3 million in 2010. It moved in 2005 to its current headquarters premises.

The company sponsors a range of athletes and events in the sports of cycling – competitive and sportive – and triathlon.

CRC directors Michael Murdock and Nick Redmond present Alan Blair from Ballymena Road Club with the new kit