Rob Partridge pulls on his Halfords backed Welsh Champions Jersey

Seniors - Hugh Wilson of Forza, Rob Partridge of Halfords and Rhys Lloyd of Rapha

Juniors - Sam Harrison of Planet X, Rhys Gravelle of CMC and Jon Mould of Agiskovnier

Welsh MTB Championships 2009

The  Champions deom left to right - U23 Anthony O'Boyle, Women's Melanie Alexander, Men's Lee Williams

Juvinille winners show off their Halfords backed jerseys

Ben Roff, Ruby Miller, Sarah Bayliss and Ian Jeremiah

Joe Home, Youth winner

u23 and Senior winners, Nina Davies

Welsh Circuit Race Championships

Maindy Flyers flying the flag for their club

Welsh Track Championships 09

Vets Podium - Courtney Rowe (Champion)

Junior Endurance Champion Sam Harrison

Senior Endurance Champion Jon Mould

Junior Sprint Lewis Olivia
 

HALFORDS TEAMS UP WITH WELSH CYCLING

TO RE-INSTATE THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS JERSEY FOR 09

Halfords, the UK’s leading cycle retailer has joined forces with Welsh Cycling to bring back the Welsh National Champions Jersey, which recognises the achievements of Welsh cyclists.

After a 10-year absence due to lack of funding, riders will once again be able to proudly wear their jerseys in events all over the UK after Halfords stepped in, meaning that the sport can reward its champions with more than just a title.

The Welsh ‘National Champion’s’ jersey signifies the winning athlete within their event, across the various disciplines of Welsh Cycling. This currently includes Olympic and Commonwealth disciplines of Road (circuit and road race), Mountain Bike (cross country), Track and BMX, along with Champions in Downhill Mountain Biking, Cyclo Cross, Cycle Speedway, BMX on a National level.

The winners will be able to wear their champion’s jerseys in events all over the UK and be recognised instantly as the Welsh Champion.

Past winners of the Welsh Championships including World Team Pursuit (Track) Champion and Olympic Champion competitor Geraint Thomas, plus Olympic Games and World Cup Champion Nicole Cooke.

Nicole Cooke said, “It is great that the Welsh Champions are being supported by Halfords, I remember competing in my first Welsh Championship and how proud I was to become Welsh Champion.  I hope that all future Welsh Champions are inspired and motivated to continue aiming high and strive to improve to the next level.”

Geraint Thomas said of the news, “It’s great that the winner of the Welsh Championships will get the opportunity to show off their jersey throughout the year on the domestic scene. It will bring back some pride into being the Welsh Road Race Champion.”

Matt Bramier (Pictured) added, “I think it’s brilliant that the Welsh Champions jersey is back in the peleton, a great chance for the cream of Welsh cycling to be back in the public eye.”

Ian Jenkins of  Welsh Cycling said: “We are delighted Halfords is working with us to reinstate this key part of the sport in Wales.  Wearing the jersey was classed as a great honour and it gave incentive to riders - especially the younger riders to succeed and gain the recognition when presented with the jersey. This investment will raise the profile of our Welsh Championship events and also inspire the next generation of future Welsh Champions.

Paul McClenaghan, trading director, Halfords, said: “We are proud to be so heavily involved with bringing back the Welsh Champions jersey, especially since our sponsorship of Welsh rider Nicole Cooke last year. As the UK’s leading cycle retailer, we have a strong belief in making cycling accessible to all, as well as helping to develop cycling as a sport. We are delighted that Welsh Cycling can now once again reward Welsh Champions.”

Be sure to catch the first winner of the new jersey at the Welsh Road Race Championships on the 31st May 2009 based at Crickhowell Sports Centre starting at 10am

Further details on the jersey will be available soon via the WC website

The New Jersey:

About Halfords

The Group employs in excess of 10,500 staff and sells over 10,000 different product lines, ranging from car parts and cycles through to the latest in-car technology, alloy wheels, child seats, roof boxes and outdoor leisure and camping equipment. Halfords' own brands include Ripspeed, for car enhancement and Bikehut, for cycles and cycling accessories, including the Apollo and Carrera brands. Two further premium brands were added during 2008; Boardman cycles and accessories, where Halfords has exclusive UK distribution rights, and URBAN Escape for camping equipment. Operating from 455 stores, including four stores in the Czech Republic, 25 smaller format, neighbourhood stores and six stand alone cycle stores, Halfords offers a "wefit" service for car parts, child seats, satellite navigation and in-car entertainment systems, and a “we repair” service for cycles. Halfords: shop in store, buy on line, or use the new "Reserve & Collect" service to acquire products on line at http://www.halfords.com.