Sponsorship support for Halesowen Athletic and Cycling Club

Club officials announced that they have been sponsored by the Italian-owned building product manufacturer Mapei - which will see the iconic tiled squares design of one of cycling’s most legendary teams figuring on the purple kit of the Black Country team.

Phil Breakspear, managing director of Mapei UK Ltd, said: "Cycling has long been part of Mapei's DNA and to be able to support the sport at a local level within our community is a natural investment for us."

The company will support 10 junior and under-23 riders in the HACC Academy.

David Viner, chair of HACC, said: "This is a total game changer for the Halesowen cycling club, with support from a huge cycling name who have a UK base close to the velodrome where we develop our young riders.

"We would like to thank Mapei for this support. We have a long and proud history of developing talented young cyclists and this new backing will enable us to develop the club on a sustainable basis for the future."

Among the team's seven juniors are former under-16 national cyclo-cross champion Simon Wyllie, who was close to selection for the recent world championships.

William Fotheringham, academy manager, said: "We have a very specific goal at the academy, which is to support these riders as they make the transition into the junior and under 23-ranks, and to make sure that when they leave us they are seasoned racers with a real passion for the sport."

Budding cyclists who have moved on from HACC include national squad junior Kinga Ingram, from Kidderminster, who has moved to Jadan-Weldtite.

William added: "We are always pleased when our riders move to bigger teams as we see our role as facilitating their move higher up the UK competition ladder. Kinga is one of the brightest prospects in UK women's racing, I'm proud that we now have one of the biggest junior teams of any cycling club in the UK and that nine of our 10 riders have come through our system."