One of the most successful outfits on the domestic scene for decades, Banbridge Cycling Club has landed a new sponsorship deal with international technology company Telefónica Tech.
While the corporation has its headquarters in Madrid, Spain, it also has a significant presence in the Titanic Quarter in Belfast where it employs more than 330 people. And that Irish association has now yielded the new deal for the prolific Banbridge.
It announced the deal on Thursday, just 24 hours after its former and current members - John Buller and Paul Antoine Hagan - took gold and bronze in the elite men's race at the National Criterium Championships.
Some of the clubs other successful riders of recent seasons have included Olympian Mark Downey and Rás Tailteann stage winner and yellow jersey Matt Teggart. In the MTB discipline, Gareth McKee has just won the Cycling Ireland MTB Cross-Country National Series.
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Telefónica - which is already a sponsor of the Movistar WorldTour team - will sponsor Banbridge CC for the next three years, with its logo emblazoned on the club's iconic jersey as well as its team car across road and off-road disciplines.
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Aaron Wallace, chairman of Banbridge Cycling Club, described the new deal as "incredibly good news" for Banbridge Cycling Club. "Telefónica Tech is such a strong supporter of cycling and such a prestigious brand here in Northern Ireland and globally," he said.
"The sponsor not only showcases our ambition as a club, it is also financially important, enabling the race team to have the best race programme and kit available, as well as enabling more money to be available to support the wider club. We are delighted to form this partnership with Telefónica Tech and are really excited to showcase the new kit.”
Lee Glover, account manager at Telefónica Tech UK & Ireland, said he was delighted to unveil the new relationships between the club and company.
“This is a partnership that works on so many levels for Telefónica Tech UK&I, not least because of the existing close links between the company and cycling," he said.
"It also aligns with our prioritisation of health and wellbeing as a company, where we support and encourage our team to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle and to be active. We are delighted to agree the arrangement with Banbridge Cycling Club and are incredibly excited to the see the race teams go from strength-to-strength wearing the jerseys.”
