20th April, 2017

OVO Energy named Tour of Britain’s title sponsor

OVO Energy has announced its title sponsorship of the Women's Tour 2017 and Tour of Britain 2017, the most prestigious professional road races in the UK cycling calendar.

Covering 1,900 kilometres with more than 200 competitors, two million spectators and 14 million television viewers, the Tours give British cycling fans unparalleled access to watch the world's best teams and riders competing on their doorsteps, including Team Sky, Wiggle HIGH5 and BMC Racing.

The new title sponsorship will see the events named the OVO Energy Women's Tour and the OVO Energy Tour of Britain; and, for the first time ever, the coveted leader's jersey will turn green. OVO Energy will also sponsor the 2017 Tour Ride, which gives amateur riders the opportunity to take on the challenge of a route inspired by the Women's Tour.

As a part of the announcement, all three previous Women's Tour Champions – Lizzie Deignan (Boels Dolmans), Lisa Brennauer (Canyon//SRAM) and Marianne Vos (WM3) headline the provisional start list and will line up in Daventry on 7th June.

Chris Houghton, Managing Director, OVO Energy, said: "We believe in providing fairness for everyone, championing renewable approaches to energy, and using smart technology to make life simpler and better for all. Cycling is an intrinsically sustainable and innovation-led sport - with cyclists themselves generating millions of watts of power each day across Britain and adopting cutting-edge technology to manage and measure performance.

"Our partnership with the Tours began last year in Bristol and we're thrilled to have expanded our involvement to become the title sponsor of the Women's Tour and Tour of Britain, helping to enable a 'free-to-view' sporting event to be brought to more fans across the country".

Hugh Roberts, Chief Executive of SweetSpot, the race organisers, said: "We are delighted to be at the start of what we anticipate to be a long and exciting partnership with OVO Energy. The Women's Tour and The Tour of Britain are leading events within the world calendar and the partnership with OVO Energy will enable these events to continue to grow, engaging more fans and communities.

"With a mission of being better for everyone and a passion for innovation and sustainable energy, there is a natural fit with cycling and our events. This year's OVO Energy Women's Tour and OVO Energy Tour of Britain will be fantastic races and we are really excited to be working with the OVO Energy team to make them the best yet".

Lisa Brennauer, Professional Cyclist, Canyon//SRAM Racing, said: "I'm looking forward to returning to the Women’s Tour; there is always a great buzz around the race. Now with a new title sponsor, OVO Energy, it will be great to see it become even bigger".

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