BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Mere hours after the launch of the new bike range from Sir Chris Hoy – exclusively available through Evans Cycles – Halfords has revealed that Victoria Pendleton has commited to another range of exclusive bikes.
Signing up to produce another exclusive set of bikes for Halfords today (Tuesday November 27th), the move comes as no surprise considering the first range, released in spring, was the best-selling women’s cycles ever for Halfords.
Not only has Pendleton signed up to the new range, but the Olympian and household name could feature in TV advertising for the retailer. She has agreed to write a regular cycle blog for Halfords and is looking into producing a range of cycling accessories.
Halfords commercial director Paul McClenaghan enthused: “We are thrilled to have extended our relationship with Victoria and that she has agreed to expand her already acclaimed cycle range. This reflects Halfords success in working with elite cyclists and in encouraging users of all levels to enjoy the sport.
“We are confident that her outstanding performance as a gold and silver medallist at London 2012 will continue to inspire female cyclists across the UK.”
Pendleton, recently knocked out of Strictly Come Dancing, said she was looking forward to returning to the world she knows best as she seeks to use her knowledge and expertise to ‘expand into further commercial activities with Halfords’.
Pendleton said: “It was a dream come true for me to design my own range of bikes. I want to encourage women to cycle more and that is why I wanted to design a range of bikes with Halfords. I am so pleased that customers liked them as much as I do and am really thrilled to be designing more.
“I’ve had an amazing time doing Strictly but I’m more used to coping with two wheels than two feet and I’m looking forward to getting back to the drawing-board and creating more bikes with Halfords.”
Pendleton added: “Even though I have retired from competitive cycling I will never stop loving that feeling of riding through the countryside and relaxing on my bike. I am just delighted that I might have done a little bit to encourage other women to enjoy that feeling as much as I do but I want to do more.”
