Member Article

North East dealership to sponsor Virgin Money Cyclone

A Newcastle car dealership is celebrating 90 years in the trade by lending support to one of the UK’s most respected and established cycling events, the Virgin Money Cyclone Festival of Cycling.

Wingrove Motor Company has committed a fleet of vehicles to join the race convoy leading out professional riders in the UCI accredited Beaumont Trophy and Women’s National Road Race, the Curlew Cup, as part of the three-day Virgin Money Cyclone, June 19 – 21. It is the first year the family owned and operated dealership, which marks its 90th anniversary in August, is announced as official vehicle sponsor to the longstanding event.

Seven support cars will be rolled out when the Virgin Money Cyclone Festival of Cycling opens on the banks of the River Tyne, including the MG6 and new Citroën C4 Cactus, voted Top Gear Hatchback of the Year in 2014. The fleet will transport race officials and the race doctor as part of a convoy designated to ensure a safe and fair event. They join Madison-Shimano technical vehicles offering mechanical support to riders throughout the weekend’s competitive racing.

At the helm of the inaugural sponsorship is Wingrove Motor Company Director, Louise Parker, who along with husband Ian, sons Josh, 19, and Jake, six, and father and company Co-Director Peter, aged 75, will ride the 34 mile Virgin Money Cyclone Challenge. The family of cyclists are members of the Gosforth Road Club and will be joined on their Cyclone Challenge by Wingrove Motor Company staff, customers and business partners. Riding as Team Wingrove 90, they are raising funds for the Lymphoma Association via Virgin Money Giving online.

Wingrove Motor Company Director, Louise Parker, said: “We wanted to give back to the community that continues to support us, so we’ve pledged to support nine North East charity events in 2015 – one for each decade in the business.”

“My husband and I both coach for Gosforth Road Club’s Go Ride programme and we all rode the Cyclone Challenge last year when our youngest son Jake was only five. It’s always a great weekend for local families as well as those visiting the area; to be involved this year as a sponsor is a bonus.”

Virgin Money Cyclone Festival of Cycling Founder and Organiser, Peter Harrison, added: “Each year we look to local businesses to help run a successful event. The Virgin Money Cyclone Festival of Cycling continues to improve on safety for riders in all fields. Having Wingrove supply us their vehicles is a fantastic support and we look forward to seeing the fleet in full festival colours.”

Aspiring cyclists of all ages and abilities are encouraged to join a Virgin Money Cyclone Challenge ride to mark the path of the touring professionals. The non-competitive Challenge rides trace much of the route of the elite cyclists in accessible 34, 64 and 106 mile events.

The Virgin Money Cyclone Festival of Cycling returns to Newcastle and Northumberland June 19 – 21. For full event information and to register yourself or a team, visit www.virginmoneycyclone.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Virgin Money Cyclone .