British Cycling has today announced that Halfords will be an official partner to the Premier Calendar Series – the leading men’s road race series in the UK – for 2009.

This partnership comes as an extension to Halfords’ existing relationship with British Cycling and will also see a strong Team Halfords Bikehut squad – headed up by current National Champion Rob Hayles – competing throughout the Premier Calendar Series.

This exciting new partnership will help provide additional support to race organisers and will enable an overall prize fund to be established for the series. In addition, Halfords will be working with British Cycling to increase participation from grass roots up to elite level.

Jonny Clay, British Cycling’s cycle sport and membership director, commented: “I’m delighted that we have Halfords as an official partner of the Premier Calendar Series. Thanks to Halfords we can improve the support we offer to race organisers – something which, in turn, will help us to raise the profile of the Premier Calendar Series and cycling in general in the UK.”

Paul McClenaghan, Halfords’ trading director, said: “Halfords sees supporting competitive cycle racing as essential to finding and developing the next Olympic and World champions. Following on from our success with Nicole Cooke and the team last year, we are delighted and proud to be partners with British Cycling for the Premier Calendar Series.”