Welsh Cycling has welcomed Craft back as its Official Clothing Partner to provide the national governing body with on- and off-bike clothing. Craft previously supported Welsh Cycling in 2014, and in 2018 as it supplied kit for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The new partnership will see Craft support Welsh Cycling as it heads towards the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Furthermore, Welsh Cycling staff, Youth & Junior programmes and Wales Racing Academy riders will be supported with off- and on-bike clothing. Craft will also support the Welsh Championship event jersey’s when racing resumes in Wales.
Welsh Cycling Chief Executive, Anne Adams-King said “Despite a challenging year we are now planning and looking forward to 2021; and finalising our new clothing partner Craft is an exciting part of that. We are very much looking forward to working with them over the next couple of years.”
Scandinavian inspired, Craft started out in the 1970s, developing a high-tech base layer fabric for Swedish fighter pilots. Building on this innovation, it created its 3-layer concept – billed as ‘the Craft Principle’. According to the company, this inspired and enabled athletes to push their limits and build confidence in any weather condition.
Five decades later Craft continues to collaborate closely with athletes across the world to develop ‘pioneering, high-quality sportswear and performance wear.’
Used and tested on the UCI World Tour with world title winning teams including BORA – Hansgrohe, Orica Bike Exchange and Team Sunweb, Craft adds that it is a ‘global consumer-driven brand and people are at the heart of everything we do.’
Craft Managing Director, Amy Frewer said “We are so proud to be the clothing partner of Welsh Cycling. We have had great success with Welsh Cycling in the past and we cannot wait to continue this exciting partnership. With the endless talent in the Welsh Cycling team we look forward to being part of their successful journey from now and over the next couple of years.”
2021 will see an exciting official launch between Craft and Welsh Cycling linked to the UCI Nations Cup event, which is scheduled to head to the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales from April 23-25.
Alongside the distribution of kit to Welsh Cycling programmes, the partnership will give Welsh clubs the opportunity to have their own club clothing supplied by Craft. The Scandinavian company is also in discussions about launching a line of Welsh Cycling merchandise which will be available to buy in 2021.
In return for linked clothing sales, Craft will offer Welsh Cycling a rebate which will be used to reinvest in the development of its cycling programmes.
Welsh Cycling Performance Director Matt Cosgrove said “We’ve enjoyed a good relationship in the past with Craft and it’s great to have them back as our clothing partner. We know the quality of the clothing and as we head into a crucial year building up to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and we’re delighted to have Craft back onboard.”
www.craftsportswear.co.uk
www.welshcycling.co.uk
