Halfords Tour Series organiser SweetSpot has announced that Boardman Bikes will be the title sponsor of the Tour Series’ Sprint competition. Integral to each round of the Series, which starts at Canary Wharf on Tuesday 25th May, the Sprint competition will comprise three sprints held at 15 minute intervals during each of the rounds.

These three sprints for the line will allow the riders to gain cash prizes and valuable points towards the Boardman Bikes Sprints Jersey. The sprints in the 2009 Tour Series were always hotly contested, and this year will be no different, with many of Britain’s top riders hoping to emulate last year’s Sprint Winner, Russell Downing.

“It’s great for Boardman Bikes to be involved in this year’s Halfords Tour Series,” said Chris Boardman, Olympic gold medallist, Tour de France yellow jersey wearer, multiple world champion and world record holder. “With the phenomenal success of last year’s events, it made sense for us to go from the winning team’s bike sponsor to becoming the Sprints competition sponsor.” The Halfords Tour Series takes place on weekday evenings from 25th May to the 24th June in 2010 across 10 cities, and sees 10 teams of five professional cyclists battle it out to be crowned the best team in the country.

Races start at 7pm on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, with the exception of Chester which takes place on a Monday evening. The Halfords Tour Series will generate a carnival atmosphere at each of the 10 chosen venues with a host of cycling based events and activities and fast-paced, gladiatorial professional bike racing.

As in 2009, audiences nationwide will be able to watch each round of the Halfords Tour Series at 7pm on ITV4 the evening after each round, inspiring a new generation of cycling fans across the country this summer.

For more information on the Halfords Tour Series, please visit www.tourseries.co.uk