UCI cycling championship signs partners

The organisers of the UCI Track Cycling World Championships have announced two official suppliers to support the five-day event in Manchester on 26-30 March 2008.

Highland Spring will supply natural spring water, sourced from in the Ochil Hills in Perthshire, while renowned car dealer Pentagon Group will provide Vauxhall and Saab vehicles for all athletes, staff and journalists.

The deals, brokered by Fast Track, the market-leading sports events, communication, consulting and rights marketing agency, are sure to further enhance the profile of the inaugural event and with just under three months remaining until competition begins at the Manchester Velodrome, more commercial opportunities still exist.

The deals just announced are as follows: Highland Spring water is drawn from a catchment area in Scotland which is completely free from pesticides and pollution.

No building, habitation or farming is allowed in the 2,000 acre area so that every drop is as pure as nature intended.

Pentagon Group will be supplying the riders and organisers with a superb range of Vauxhall and Saab cars, as well as a number of Vauxhall commercial vehicles.

Marc Hope, Director of Rights Marketing at Fast Track, said: "We are pleased to have brought both the Pentagon Group and Highland Spring into the World Cycling Championships and to have assisted the Championships on the commercial side.

"Cycling is at such a high in Britain right now and these companies will be taking full advantage of this major five day festival.

"There are still opportunities with the event, which features an unprecedented 13 hours of BBC coverage".

The British team will be defending the seven world titles that they won at last year's championships in Palma, Mallorca.

Bradley Wiggins won two gold medals in the pursuit and team pursuit, Chris Hoy doubled up in the Keirin and 1km time-trial and Victoria Pendleton, female athlete of the year as voted for by the Sports Journalists Association, spectacularly got a hat-trick of gold medals in the women's sprint, Keirin and team sprint events.

The UCI Championships organiser, Alan Rushton, is equally pleased that both Highland Spring and Pentagon are supporting the championships.

He said: "It is excellent to have strong brands with us during the championships.

"Riders, officials and media will all be able to enjoy their spring water over the five-day event.

"A world-class event also requires world-class back-up and that's what we have got from Pentagon; transportation is a key part of any world championships.

"Pentagon vehicles will be transporting hundreds of athletes from over 30 countries during the five-day championships in Manchester.

"The riders have tight training and racing schedules and nothing can be left to chance with gold medals at stake".

Claire Wilson, marketing manager for Highland Spring, said: "The UCI Track Cycling World Championships are a fantastic platform for driving enthusiasm about sport and encouraging people to get active.

"Cycling is the second most popular sport in Europe and people have the opportunity to cheer on some of the world's greatest athletes at this inspirational event.

"Staying hydrated during sport and exercise is essential for best performance and as the UK's leading producer of bottled water, Highland Spring is proud to be the official water supplier to the UCI Track Cycling World Championships".

And Pentagon Oldham Branch Manager Rob Schofield added: "'We are very proud to be involved in this prestigious event, providing transport to world-class athletes, and we are delighted to play our part in what promises to be a fantastic event for Manchester".

Tickets for the event are now on sale.

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