Cycle 360 to sponsor the return of elite cycling to the Island

Cycle 360 has confirmed its title sponsorship of the Manx International Stage Race for 2019.

The local cycling hub comprising of a café, bike shop and fitness club, will sponsor the Manx International Stage Race for elite male riders, which is taking place from Friday 2nd – Sunday 4th august 2019. The format will be 4 stages over the 3-days as follows:

Friday 7:30pm stage one – 50-lap kermesse (35-miles)
Saturday 9:30am stage two – 3.8-mile hill climb (road bikes)
Saturday 2:30pm stage three – 15-lap circuit race (64.5-miles)
Sunday 12:30pm stage four – 3-lap road race (113.25 miles)

The Cycle 360 Manx International Stage race is the 9th round of the 2019 HSBC UK National Men’s Road Series, of which there are 11 and are seen as the top events of the British Domestic Road Cycling calendar. This particular stage will also be seen as the warm-up for the elite riders competing in the tour of Britain. Riders who will be competing are expected to include Olympic gold medallist Ed Clancy and the 2016 Manx International winner Ian Bibby. The event will also enable our home-grown local cycling stars to feature, with likely participation from Mark Christian’s team Wiggins, Nathan Draper’s Zappi team and Tom and Leon Mazzone riding for team Tifosi. The entry of an IOM National Team will add further interest to the leading Manx rider competition. The event will be broadcast on Eurosport and is being supported by the Department for Enterprise through its tourism team.

Cycle 360 will also be hosting hospitality for spectators as well as the area for the warm up for teams in its multi-functional venue up at the Isle of Man Business Park on stage one, with a prime viewing spot for the 50-lap kermesse due to take place around the Isle of Man business park and down Cooil Road.

Cycle 360 founder, Mark Horsthuis commented: “We are incredibly excited to be supporting and sponsoring such a prestigious international cycling event in the Isle of Man, and especially so given it’s the first international stage race to be held on the Isle of Man. The event is a fantastic opportunity to promote the Isle of Man on a global scale, as well as watch our talented local cyclists racing at home. It not only gives Cycle 360 the opportunity of playing a big role in an elite cycling event, but it also means we’re able to give something back to our customers and employees too by being involved in such an exciting event.”

Co-event Director, Richard Fletcher, of the Isle of Man Cycling Association added: “The opening stage on the IOM Business Park will be an absolute cracker and it’s fantastic to have a local company that’s so relevant to the event take the title sponsor that has recently invested so much into cycling on the Isle of Man. The enthusiasm of Cycle 360 to get involved is greatly appreciated by the organising team.”

For further event information, please visit: www.manxinternational.com.