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TI Media, the publisher of Cycling Weekly and MBR, has announced headline sponsors of its two new awards initiatives.
The Cycling Weekly Awards will take place in association with Garmin on 12th December. All of the awards categories have also been sponsored.
Also new for 2018 is the search for Britain’s Best Bike Mechanic, for which TI Media has partnered with Park Tool and British Cycling.
The Cycling Weekly Awards will reward the best in road cycling, including professional riders, cycling clubs and charitable initiatives.
Head of market Sean Igoe, said: “Garmin was targeted as the headline partner from the start. It is the world’s leader in GPS technology and a premium, prestigious brand.
“The awards are also a celebration of road cycling from grassroots to pro level, and Garmin has always supported the sport and continues to do so. This was an important element of the partnership and it’s fantastic to have them on board.
“I would like to say a huge thanks to all the brands that have supported us for this year’s ceremony. It’s really pleasing to see such a strong appetite from the industry.“
Nominations are currently open for three award categories: Club of the Year in association with Santini, Best Charitable Initiative in association with Sports Tours International and Local Hero in association with Freewheel. Nominations will close on Friday 31st August 2018.
Britain’s Best Bike Mechanic builds on the success of Cycling Weekly and MBR’s Britain’s Best Bike Shop in 2017, which received over 21,000 votes for over 1,000 shops,
Kellie Parsons, marketing director at Madison said: “We are delighted to be supporting the search for Britain’s Best Bike Mechanic and think it is a great opportunity to celebrate some of the unsung heroes that literally keep the wheels of our industry turning.
“Park Tool prides itself on being the number one tool brand in cycling so it was an obvious campaign to throw our weight behind. We can’t wait to see who is crowned champion and being introduced to our nation’s best bike mechanics.”
The campaign will launch and the voting phase will open early in July. The final round will be a skills test overseen by GB Cycling’s head mechanic, Mark Ingham.
Victor Alway, marketing manager at Cycling Weekly and MBR, added: “Teaming up with Park Tool and British Cycling is a really exciting part of the campaign. Alongside Cycling Weekly and MBR’s fantastic influence in print, online, email and social media, British Cycling will help us reach a huge portion of the cycling community. This access to cyclists, bike shops and the mechanics themselves will allow us to uncover the best of the best.”
The 2018 Britain’s Best Bike Mechanic winner will be announced in September and invited to the Cycling Weekly Awards in December.
