UK multisport and cycling retailer Sigma Sport has confirmed that IG Markets, an industry leading provider of Contracts for Difference (CFDs) will become the joint title sponsor of the UCI registered team previously known as Sigma Sport – Specialized. This latest agreement will see the team renamed to Team IG – Sigma Sport.
(A Contract for Difference (or CFD) is a type of derivative that gives an investor exposure to the change in value of a financial asset (such as a share) without the need to physically own that asset.) IG Markets has been supporting cycling for a number of years, while it may be best known for its sponsorship of the Sky professional cycling team, the financial services company has also been involved throughout many levels of the sport including the London Nocturne and Ride 24.
Aiming to continue the success the team has experienced over the past two years, Team IG – Sigma Sport will once again ride Specialized bikes as the company continues its partnership with Sigma Sport.
Olly Stevens, Head of Sponsorship from IG Markets said “We are delighted to become Title Partner of Team IG – Sigma Sport, which is a significant further investment in British cycling. We have been impressed with their professionalism and their ability to challenge the more established teams. Their aggressive style of racing in 2011 especially at the Tour of Britain was fantastic to watch and we are looking forward to supporting the team throughout 2012 and beyond.”
According to the multisport retailer, ‘Sigma Sport is delighted to be working with such a prominent sponsor who shares [our] passion for the sport of cycling.’
Ian Whittingham, Director at Sigma Sport is looking forward to pushing the team forward. “Having IG Markets on board gives us a great opportunity to take the team to the next level. We’ve got great equipment sponsors for 2012 and the riders have been carefully selected to take the previous success even further.”
Specialized is also looking forward to IG Markets helping to push the team to a new level. ‘Having IG on board gives the team a great opportunity to continue to build on the success of the past few years in 2012,’ said a company spokesperson. ‘The squad has retained its core group of riders and added some riders who will keep the team racing aggressively in all the major national races. This style of racing is what attracted Specialized to be involved with the project and has been proud to be part of it as it’s developed; now with IG the team can start to plan for the future.’
A range of partners are providing key support to the team as they take on the 2012 season:
- Mercedes Benz
- Midland Truck and Van
- Mavic
- Garmin
- 3T
- ZipVit
- Giordana
- Rudy Project
- Vredestein
- Look
- Campagnolo
- Ice Breaker
- Timbuk2
- Finish Line
Matthew Stephens, Team Manager for 2012 is delighted with the support the team is receiving from this range of leading companies. “We’re delighted to have industry leaders supporting our team again in 2012, having the best equipment and kit is key to running a professional team, and with our sponsors and partners for 2012 we’ve definitely achieved this,” Stephens said.
The team line up for 2012 includes a blend of new and returning riders, with two key additions to the team, potential Olympians Steven Burke, who is vying for a place on the GB Team Pursuit line up and Dan Craven who is on course to represent Namibia at London 2012.
The rider roster for 2012 puts Team IG – Sigma Sport in a strong position to contend throughout the season in the UK’s biggest races:
- Steven Burke
- Dan Craven
- Tom Murray
- Simon Richardson
- Steve Lampier
- Tom Last
- Simon Gaywood
- Wouter Sybrandy
- Jake Hales
- Peter Hawkins
- Andrew Griffith
