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Pearl Izumi distributor Madison has today revealed the technical outdoor wear label to be the title sponsor of the 2013 Tour Series.
The Series will now be known as The Pearl Izumi Tour Series, getting underway in Kirkcaldy, Fife on Tuesday 14th May. Eleven venues will host the Series over its traditional May and June five-week period, bringing Britain’s top domestic cyclists, such as Olympians Ed Clancy and Ross Edgar, to compete in action packed one–hour races around the country.
Differing from other races, the Tour Series is all about teams, with the UK’s top ten battling it out to be crowned Series Champions in Ipswich on Friday 14th June.
Commenting on the announcement, Dominic Langan, Madison CEO said: "Since 1950 Pearl Izumi have been innovators in the design and construction of performance apparel and footwear for athletes who depend on uncompromising gear. The Tour Series provides an ideal platform in the UK both nationally and at a local level to support our independent specialist retail customers and to communicate the core values of the Pearl Izumi brand to an interested consumer."
Past winners of the unique competition include Team Halfords Bikehut (2009), Motorpoint Marshalls Pasta (2010), Rapha Condor Sharp (2011) and Endura Racing (2012).
Highlights will be shown on ITV4 in a 10pm slot the evening after every round during this year’s Series.
Alastair Grant, commercial director of SweetSpot Group, the organisers of The Tour Series commented: “We are delighted that Pearl Izumi are joining us to be title sponsors for The Tour Series in 2013, and look forward to their support for what promises to be the biggest and best Series to date. It is particularly pleasing to be renewing our relationship with Madison, with whom we have worked with closely on The Tour of Britain in the past.
“This year’s Pearl Izumi Tour Series is shaping up to be highly competitive with ten top teams taking part, and eleven great venues across England, Scotland and Wales for spectators to come along to.”
In addition to sponsoring the series via Pearl Izumi, Madison will also be working with local authorities in order to promote cycling in the areas that will play host to the Tour Series. A part of this initiative is to encourage children to get into cycling and will see Madison providing demo bikes from the Ridgeback, Saracen and Genesis brands at various events.
