[Source: UCI] The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zwift, a global online training and racing platform for athletes, for the governance and development of cycling esports as a new cycling discipline.

This MoU follows the integration of cycling esports into the UCI Constitution, which was approved by the Federation’s Congress in September 2018 in Innsbruck (Austria). The objective is two-fold: to establish requirements that guarantee the speciality meets the standards of sporting integrity and fairness necessary for all UCI-sanctioned disciplines, and to launch the inaugural UCI Cycling Esports World Championships in 2020, as well as qualification events for these Championships, on the Zwift platform.

The news follows the confirmation of Zwift as Official Supplier to the 2019 UCI Road World Championships in Yorkshire, Great Britain.

As part of the MoU, the UCI and Zwift will collaborate to ensure the sporting credibility of cycling esports events. This will include the establishment of a hardware programme that is reliable enough to be used in events sanctioned by the UCI, a performance verification programme that will validate a rider’s performance and ward against technological fraud, and a rider identification system, including height and weight. Moreover, different formats of racing, for individuals and teams, will be tested. The UCI Regulations will be updated accordingly.

On the sporting side, the UCI will organise the 2020 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships (on the Zwift platform). These will be held on a date and at a venue that are still to be confirmed. The UCI and Zwift have agreed that a maximum of 15 National Championships will be organised in select countries as well as Continental Championships; these competitions, organised on-site or remotely on-line, will act as qualification events for the new UCI Cycling Esports World Championships. The Zwift application will be the only programme used for all these events.

 Following the first edition of the World Championships, the UCI will launch a bidding process to determine the provider with which it will collaborate for the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships after 2020.     

UCI President David Lappartient declared: “Cycling esports is a fantastic opportunity for the development of cycling. It is a new way of practising cycling that is expanding rapidly and enables more athletes, whether beginners or more experienced, to train and race regardless of what the weather is like and where they live. The Memorandum of Understanding between our Federation and Zwift is a decisive step towards the total integration of cycling esports by the UCI.”

Zwift’s Esports CEO Craig Edmondson added: “Earlier this year, we stated our ambition to develop an esports platform, but I think it’s much more than that. We are looking to establish a new approach to the sport. This partnership is a significant leap forward in that journey. We are at the very beginning of a long and exciting roadmap here at Zwift as we look to establish a new and innovative cycling discipline.”

About Zwift
Zwift is a fitness company born from gaming, that is dedicated to fitness and experienced in software and video game development. Combining that passion and deep understanding of the fitness world, Zwift is the first company to use massive multiplayer gaming technology to bring the outdoor experience indoors. Athletes from around the globe can train and compete with each other in rich, 3D-generated worlds simply by connecting their existing devices & hardware (e.g. cycle trainers, power meters, treadmills, heart rate monitors, etc) wirelessly via open industry standard ANT+ and BLE. From friendly competition, to racing and structured training programmes, Zwift is building a community of like-minded athletes united in the pursuit of a better social fitness experience.

About the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)
Founded in 1900, in Paris (France), the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the worldwide governing body for cycling. It develops and oversees cycling in all its forms, for all people as a competitive sport, as a healthy recreational activity, as a means of transport, and also just for fun. The UCI manages and promotes the eight cycling disciplines: road, track, mountain bike, BMX Racing, BMX Freestyle, cyclo-cross, trials and indoor cycling. More information on www.uci.org.

Spirit of Harrogate launches new ready to serve drinks brand

[Source: The Sports Consultancy] Harrogate-based premium drinks brand, Spirit of Harrogate, is today announcing the launch of ‘Solo’ – five ready to serve drinks – created for the UCI Road World Championships, taking place in Yorkshire this September.

Solo will be an Official Supplier of the 2019 UCI Road World Championships running from 22^nd – 29^th September, with the world’s best cyclists descending on Yorkshire for the week. Spectators can sample the range of refreshing tipples from the tournament’s multiple bar venues throughout the week, and from the Spirit of Harrogate experience store on Montpellier Parade. Solo will also be available to purchase in store after the races too.

Solo has been made using award-winning Slingsby Gin and includes Slingsby London Dry with Indian Tonic Water – a signature classic made with locally sourced botanicals. Attendees can also enjoy Slingsby Rhubarb Gin with Ginger Ale or Elderflower Tonic Water infused with the finest Yorkshire rhubarb or Slingsby Gooseberry Gin mixed with Mediterranean Tonic. Solo will also launch a ready to serve made using the Gin brand’s latest flavour variant Marmalade, complimented with Mediterranean tonic. All products are bottled at 8% ABV.

The sponsorship deal, which was concluded on behalf of the UCI by The Sports Consultancy (TSC), will see Solo benefit from multiple promotional opportunities over the seven days including on-course branding, branded content across the event’s social channels and advertisement in the official programme. The team will also be handing out branded giveaways throughout the duration of the event in the UCI Fan Zone, in their flagship store in the heart of Harrogate and as part of the 2-day publicity vehicle caravan on the final weekend.

Co-Founder of Spirit of Harrogate Mike Carthy comments:

“We’re delighted to be launching our first ready to serve drinks brand and thrilled that Solo will be the Official Supplier for such a prestigious sporting event. We can’t wait to welcome the thousands of attendees and world’s best cyclists to our hometown. I’ll certainly be there cheering on the sports men and women who are competing as they race through the heart of Harrogate – with a Solo in hand of course. Solo is something we’ve worked incredibly hard on and we can’t wait for visitors to trial our unique flavours during the event.”

Grant funding for a new film and television studios, to be built on the site of the former High Melton campus of Doncaster College, has been agreed by the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Combined Authority (CA).

On 11 June, at the first meeting chaired by the new Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, Dan Jarvis, CA members agreed that £4.1m of Local Growth Fund (LGF) cash should go towards the project headed up by 360 Degrees Media.

The scheme incorporates a film and TV studios, a visual effects production facility, a film and TV training academy and a hotel and events business. It is projected to create around 220 direct new jobs, and potentially thousands more in the supply chain, while driving more than £60m of gross value added within SCR over the next 10 years.

Mayor Dan Jarvis said: "A creative investment on this scale is fantastic news for Doncaster and the wider region, and will add to the Sheffield City Region's already-outstanding creative assets.

"As well as jobs at the 360 Degrees Media studios, the scheme can also create countless opportunities in the supply chain, drive economic growth and provide real-world training opportunities for our young people.

"But the benefits go both ways. Our region is a hotbed of creativity and is already driving forward excellence in the digital sector. So where better to base a new film and television studio that can tap into the talent we already have here, build upon it, and create a genuinely exciting and innovative scheme to put Doncaster on the digital map."

Sir Nigel Knowles, chairman of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, was instrumental in the decision by 360 Degrees Media to locate here.

He said: "LGF funding allows LEPs to drive forward economic growth across the country, helping to build a country that works for everyone.

"I am delighted that we were able to use this fund to secure the 360 Degrees Media investment for Sheffield City Region. This is further proof that, as a LEP, we work in a straightforward and practical way to bring in investment and make it easy for companies to do business here.

"I look forward to seeing this project delivered."

360 Degrees Media is managed and operated by media financiers Alistair Maclean-Clark and Mark Beilby, both of whom have more than 30 years’ experience in the sector.

Alistair Maclean-Clark, chief executive of 360 Degrees Media, said: “Ever since we first visited South Yorkshire we knew there was potential for a game-changing project here and we are delighted that the SCR, as well as Doncaster Council and DN Colleges Group, have backed our vision for High Melton.

"We want to pioneer a European first for media that brings together training, production, post-production and innovative tech on one site, offering film and television makers an end-to-end service and a creative ecosystem that will reinforce and help to build all the existing creative industries in South Yorkshire.”

The project has also been welcomed by the council and businesses in Doncaster.

Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, said: “It is fantastic news for Doncaster that the College’s High Melton site is set to become the new home to this international film and TV studio. We have been happy to support the College in bringing this to Doncaster. This will create jobs and growth for Doncaster’s economy and encourage more young people to pursue a career in the Film and TV industry.

“During 2017, £1.6 billion was spent on UK film and TV projects. This shows this is a thriving industry which we are excited to welcome to the town. We are ambitious for Doncaster and fully support the creation of this new site that will create more than 220 jobs for the borough.”

Dan Fell, chief executive officer at Doncaster Chamber of Commerce, said: "The Chamber believes that the project has the potential to be as transformative for Doncaster as the Yorkshire Wildlife Park or Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

"Crucially, the scheme will do much to diversify Doncaster’s economy by attracting overseas investment and students, and by catalysing growth within the creative sector.

"This will make our economy more resilient whilst also engendering a dynamism and buzz about the area.”

Andy Tuscher, DN Colleges Group Chair of Governors, said: "“We are delighted with today’s decision, and we now eagerly await the transformation of High Melton into a world-class hub for media production, placing Doncaster at the heart of the UK’s media sector and directly benefiting our communities through local investment and employment.

"We are thrilled that this development will include an innovative partnership between 360 Degrees Media and Doncaster College to create a Film and TV Academy.

"Having direct access to these state-of-the-art facilities is going to create unparalleled opportunities for Doncaster College students and we are really excited about the employment opportunities this will open up for them, both locally and in the wider media industry.”

By 2021 Government will have invested over £12bn through the Local Growth Fund, allowing LEPs to use their local knowledge to get all areas of the country firing on all cylinders.

There are 38 LEPs covering the whole of England, which are investing LGF money in a wide range of projects including transport, skills, business support, broadband, innovation and flood defences.

British Cycling, Welcome to Yorkshire and UK Sport have submitted a bid to the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) for Yorkshire to host the 2019 UCI Road World Championships.

Announcing the bid formally in the Yorkshire Post, Prime Minister Theresa May commented: “Yorkshire’s beauty was brilliantly shown off to the world by cycling events like the Tour de France and the fantastic Tour de Yorkshire, led by Sir Gary Verity.

“So today I can announce that we have backed a Yorkshire-led bid to bring cycling’s World Road Championships to Britain. This week, British Cycling's bid to hold the event in Yorkshire was delivered to the sport's governing body, the UCI.

“The government will underwrite the event and back it with £24m of investment so that we can get even more people to visit the region. Our backing will include £15 million for cycling infrastructure projects, to encourage even greater participation in the sport and continue the proud legacy that has seen our athletes excel at the Rio Games."

Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive Sir Gary Verity added: “It would be an absolute honour to host the 2019 UCI Road World Championships.

“Yorkshire has everything a bike race could wish for. We can promise a gruelling but spectacular range of routes, huge crowds and the very warmest of welcomes.

“Yorkshire is ready to embrace the championships. We’ve turned the county yellow once before, and now we want to see it swathed with those coveted rainbow bands.”

The bid promises to not only deliver a world class cycle race but also a £15 million package of nationwide investment to further develop cycling facilities, inspiring the nation to get on bikes.

British Cycling’s president, Bob Howden, said: “The UCI 2019 Road World Championships should find its natural home in Britain and in Yorkshire. Britain has proved that when it gets behind major cycling events, it really does the nation proud. Not only would Yorkshire deliver a cycling event to rival the scenes we saw in 2014 (during the Tour de France Grand Depart), it promises to build on our fantastic legacy of getting more people to discover the joys of life on two wheels.

“Backed by substantial government investment, our bid promises not only to host the biggest UCI Road World Championships in history, it will secure new facilities across the country to ensure that even more people get to experience British Cycling programmes and opportunities to get on their bikes.

“This bid represents a chance to set a new standard for an international sporting event. A country-wide investment in facilities ensures the participation legacy is not an add-on but built into the bid from the start and means the benefits will be felt far beyond the host region and for far longer than the eight days of the championships.

“Working alongside UK Sport and Welcome to Yorkshire, we collectively stand ready to deliver both the event and the lasting legacy that will sit behind it.

“We have the experience of hosting top class world cycling events, we have the structures in place to support a continued boom in interest in cycling, and we’re more ready than ever to truly show the world how passionate Britain is about one of its favourite sports.”

Four candidates have been shortlisted from nine cities bidding to host the UK’s first Great Exhibition of the North in 2018.
The shortlisted bids from Blackpool, Bradford, Newcastle-Gateshead and Sheffield will be assessed by the Great Exhibition board before a final selection is made by government ministers, with the host city to be announced in the autumn. 
The government is contributing GB£5m towards the exhibition and a further GB£15 million into a legacy fund to attract further cultural investment in the North. 
Despite the change of government leadership since British voters narrowly elected to leave the European Union, the UK government is fully committed to the Great Exhibition of the North. 
“The exhibition, which will run for at least two months, will showcase the great creative, cultural and design sectors across the whole of the North, and boost investment and tourism in the region,” said Matt Hancock, Minister of State for Digital and Culture.
“The Great Exhibition of the North is a unique opportunity to celebrate the creativity of Northern England and I am thrilled we received so many innovative bids.
“British arts and culture are among the finest in the world. I am determined we democratise the arts and celebrate the best in every part of our nation.
“What’s more, cultural investment can bring enormous benefits for communities - it drives regeneration, promotes tourism and increases life chances.
“The shortlisted bids show just what’s on offer and highlight that we have brilliant options for hosting the Great Exhibition of the North. Whichever is successful, this exhibition will leave an important legacy to benefit the whole country.”
The shortlist includes two Yorkshire cities, Bradford and Sheffield, as well as the Lancashire resort of Blackpool and Newcastle-Gateshead in the North East. 
The destinations that did not make the shortlist were Halifax (West Yorkshire), Harrogate (North Yorkshire), Scunthorpe (Lincolnshire), St Helens (Lancashire) and Whitehaven (Cumbria).
“The quality of all nine submissions was incredibly strong and I’d like to congratulate the four towns and cities who have made it through to the final shortlist,” said Sir Gary Verity, Chair of the Great Exhibition of the North Board and Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire.
“I and the Great Exhibition Board are very much looking forward to meeting the teams behind the four shortlisted bids to hear their exciting proposals in person. This is an incredible opportunity to really showcase the creativity and culture we have here in the North and I know whoever wins will thoroughly embrace that vision.
“The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will work with the bidders who were not shortlisted to ensure as many people enjoy and benefit from the exhibition as possible.”