Organisers of a spectacular cycling event have got a new sponsor on board.
Grand Central Railways, which runs direct services to London from Mirfield station, is backing the Huddersfield Criterium cycle race by sponsoring the fast and furious sprint stages of the event.
This year’s Criterium takes place on Wednesday, July 8, starting at 6pm in St George’s Square. Some of the best British riders and local talent will face the challenge of navigating a 1km closed-circuit in Huddersfield town centre.
The event is free to spectators, who will be treated to four races throughout the evening – with Grand Central once again showing support after being a sponsor in 2014.
Grand Central operates West Riding services between Bradford Interchange, Halifax, Brighouse, Mirfield, Pontefract Monkhill, Wakefield Kirkgate, Doncaster and London King’s Cross. It also operates North East services from Sunderland to King’s Cross.
Sean English, chief operating officer at Grand Central, said: “Grand Central operates at the heart of the local communities along its routes and we are extremely proud of our partnerships with organisations like the Huddersfield Criterium.
“Cycling is a sport that continues to grow in popularity, particularly in our region, and the Criterium promises to be a superb event.”
The event is being organised by Kirklees councillor Martyn Bolt and Dave Sowerby, of Sowerby’s Cycles in Mirfield.
Clr Bolt, a keen cyclist, said: “We are delighted to have Grand Central ‘on board’ as Sprint Partners for the event in 2015.
“We have had massive interest from local businesses, but to secure a national rail operator which also serves the community is simply fantastic. I use Grand Central personally from Mirfield on my trips to London and I can even take the bike.”
Birstall-based marketing agency Fantastic Media is title sponsor for the cycling event with the Huddersfield Town Foundation as official charity partner. Other businesses are expected to lend their support to the high-profile event in the next few weeks.
Here's a cyclist's view of last year's course:
And a video of the main race:
