Halfords to sponsor 2010 Tour Series

This year's Tour Series of televised town centre criterium races will be officially called the Halford's Tour Series it was announced today by the series organisers, SweetSpot.

The Halfords Tour Series takes place from 25th May to the 24th June across 10 cities and pits 10 top British professional teams against each other battling it out to be crowned the best cycling team in the country. What sets the series apart is that this is cycling as a team sport rather making it all about individual glory.

Last year's first ever Tour Series was won by Team Halfords Bikehut in what proved to be a very close fought competition. Halfords have ensured that whatever anybody else does they'll own the podium by having their name put on it. The Bikehut team is no more and its big names, such as Rob Hayles and Ed Clancy have moved on for this season. Certainly after a slowish start it was the Halfords outfit who seemed to best grasp the new sorts of tactics that were needed to win at team cycle racing.

Commenting on the announcement Paul McClenaghan, Halfords Commercial Director, said: “As the UK’s leading cycle retailer, Halfords is keen to bring the thrill of cycle racing to a wider audience. The Halfords Tour Series will help give cycle enthusiasts, families and young aspiring Bradley Wiggins’ alike inspiration to get on their bikes. This is also a great opportunity to showcase the passion and expertise of our in store colleagues who build and service around half a million bikes a year including the award winning Boardman Road Pro.”

The Halfords Tour Series events for 2010 will be launched individually at regional launches across the country, and announcements regarding venues, television coverage, and the 10 competing teams for 2010 will be made soon.