Racing is halted at home and abroad and the financial impact of the Covid19 crisis has begun to hit but two Irish riders have received reassurance about their immediate future.
Vitus Pro Cycling Team p/b Brother UK, which counts Chris
McGlinchey and Darnell Moore in its roster, has received a boost from one of
its sponsors.
Phil Jones, chief executive of Brother UK, has moved to
assure the teams it sponsors that its support will not waver.
The company is a very significant supporter of cycling in
Britain, where teams have folded in recent years and where racing is now
suspended until at least the end of April.
However, though the season is in tatters and the future
is uncertain, Jones has assured the teams Brother UK’s continued support is
absolutely guaranteed.
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He said the company had “played the long game” with its backing of cycling; sponsoring and improving neutral service vehicles for British racing before progressing to sponsor four teams at present.
Jones said even in the best of times it is not uncommon
for British teams to be concerned about future sponsorship and funding; a
situation only exacerbated by the Covid19 crisis.
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“I wanted to reassure our sponsored teams – Team LDN Brother
UK, Vitus Pro Cycling Team p/b Brother UK, Crimson Performance and Brother
UK-Team OnForm – that Brother UK is financially sound and will continue to back
them, even in the midst of a pandemic,” he said.
“I wanted the riders and managers, their support staff
and the family members who sacrifice so much to know that, however uncertain
the future seems, they can depend on us.”
He added he would discuss with these teams the best way
they could use that portion of their annual budget being saved because racing
had been paused.
“My key message is for everyone in domestic cycling to
use the enforced break from racing to generate a fresh image and a fresh
message,” he added in a piece published on LinkedIn.
“Businesses will inevitably emerge from the coronavirus
pandemic seeking new, investable opportunities. Racing is only one aspect of
this compelling sport.
“The vast community of cyclists and fans are still there
and eager for content in the absence of a race programme.
“The coronavirus is a significant setback for domestic road
racing, but it should not mean the end. We’re in this together. We can emerge
stronger.”
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