Sigma Sports announced as the new joint title sponsor of the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic

SIGNA Sports have been announced as a new joint sponsor of the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic for the next three years, its been confirmed.

It comes following managerial changes to the ownership of the previous joint title sponsor of the race, which returns in April 2023. It has now been confirmed that Sigma Sports will step in to partner Schwalbe UK as joint title sponsors of the event for the next three years.

Speaking this week CiCLE Classics Race Director Colin Clews said, “We are delighted that Sigma Sports have come forward to support the Rutland- Melton CiCLE Classic as our new joint title sponsor along with Schwalbe UK who initially began supporting us in 2013 and have remained with us since as part of one of the longest continuous sponsorships in recent British cyclesport history.

The route finishes in Melton Town centre. Photo: NEMM

During that period their support has been invaluable and with the new partnership with Sigma Sports, who have a fabulous store in our start town of Oakham, the race’s national and international reputation can only be enhanced further. This is particularly appreciated during the difficult economic times that all sectors of the community are currently experiencing.”

With Schwalbe UK already committed to the race once again, planning for the 17th edition of the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic to be held on 23rd April 2023 is already advanced.”

Sigma Sports CEO, James McEuen, said “We are delighted to become joint title sponsors of the CiCLE Classic. It is a fabulous race and one that is important to the cycling community around our Oakham store. This is a great step for us and we are excited about the ride out going past our store before the racing begins”

The Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic continues to occupy a unique position and character within British cyclesport and an unrivalled popularity amongst competitors, fans and spectators. As the only single day international race within the UK providing the opportunity for British road racing cyclists to compete against foreign competition on home roads between Oakham and Melton.

Previous editions of the race have been contested by such names as Mark Cavendish, three times World Champion Peter Sagan, Alex Dowsett, 2022 Tour de France stage winners Tom Pidcock and Mads Pederson, as well as three times World Road Race champion Peter Sagan.

As part of an annual programme of races for all categories the CiCLE Classics also promote a Women’s and Junior Men’s editions which will in 2023 take place on Sunday 26th March.

These additional races, which were themselves subject to sponsorship issues earlier this year, since resolved as announced recently, are unaffected by the above.