Hilton
Edinburgh Grosvenor announce sponsorship deal with Edinburgh Road
Club
Wednesday
14th February, 2007
The Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor has announced that
they will sponsor Edinburghrc/The Bicycleworks, one of the UK’s
biggest cycling clubs.
The sponsorship deal will see the hotel’s
logo appear on the club’s kit, website and race support vehicle.
As
well as providing a four figure sum in direct financial support to
the club, the hotel will provide a base for the club’s committees,
and offer a number of discounts to club members. Plans are also underway
for the development of a themed cycling bar, which the club will use
to promote events for club members and cycling generally.
ERC’s President, Ken Whitson, (former Scottish
sprint champion and Commonwealth games rider) commented:
“This is a fantastic development for ERC.
The sponsorship from the Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor will help us with
our ambitious plans to develop the club’s ability to compete
at all levels in the UK. Their support ensures that our Women’s
Race Squad gets off to a flying start as they are now funded to compete
in England as well as Scotland”.
Guy Hilton, General Manager of the Hilton Edinburgh
Grosvenor, said:
“Sport is a personal passion and, as a consequence,
we are delighted to be associated with Edinburghrc. We look forward
to developing our relationship with the Club and its members, and
supporting the Women’s Race Squad to allow them to compete at
the highest level. This opportunity will allow the membership of ERC
to enjoy the benefits of being supported by the No.1 hotel brand,
whilst enjoying, on a local basis, all that the recently refurbished
Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor has to offer.
Edinburghrc/The Bicycleworks was established as
a cycling club in 1925, and with over 400 members, is one of the biggest
and most active cycling clubs in the UK. ERC members are involved
in all aspects of cycling, from social riding to competition at national
level. Members compete in road racing, time-trialling, track, triathlon
and mountain-biking. ERC welcomes new members of all ages and ability.
The club's newly formed Women's Race Squad consists
of 20 riders including current Scottish champions Pippa Handley (current
Scottish 25 and Olympic TT champion, 10th in UCI ranked Chrono des
Nations, 7th British TT Champs 2006, 9th British 10 champs 2006),and
Jessica Wilson-Young (current Scottish 50 and BAR champion), Jenny
Wright (former Scottish multi TT champion) and Jo Merrit (formerly
Cavill,former GB international and Commonwealth Games rider), and
Louisa Edmonston, (elite triathlete and silver in Scottish Olympic
TT 2006).
The team will be managed by Jackie Reid, (former
Scottish mountain bike champion) who has extensive riding and management
experience.
The decision to promote a commercially backed women’s
squad based in Scotland has already attracted considerable interest
within the cycling fraternity. The team’s target programme includes
the British time trial and road championships, Rudy Project time trial
series, women’s team series, and the women’s criterium
in London on 8 July.
Edinburghrc has committed a four figure sum to
back the squad this season. In addition to the Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor,
commercial backing is coming from, from Glenrental Ltd, a car and
van rental business serving Cumbria and south-west Scotland (www.glenrental.co.uk.).
Further sponsorship opportunities particularly
tyre and nutrition product support are being sought.
The squad will also be supported by the club’s
extensive pool of coaches, and can call upon the vast experience and
knowledge of club members Steve and Julie Paulding, who have enjoyed
success at British and international level.
See the ERC
Web site for more details.
For further information, contact
Mark Finlay
Vice President (Sponsorship)
Edinburghrc
07977 182 120
mailto:mark.finlay@brodies.co.uk
or Neil Muir
Publicity Officer
Edinburghrc
0131 347 1347
neil.muir@virgin.net
