The multi-year partnership will see Global Relay become official sponsors of both the Canadian national team and the Canadian Road Cycling Championships, the latter being renamed the Global Relay Canadian Road Cycling Championships.

"In 2012 we established a vision to become a leading cycling nation by 2020," said Cycling Canada's President John Tolkamp.

"This new partnership with Global Relay, a leader in the global business sector, is a critical step in attaining the ambitious objectives we set ourselves."

"This relationship with a corporate group that truly believes in the values and benefits of sport, through their commitment to cycling, will bring valuable support and financial resources to Canada's national cycling team for the next four years.

"As we prepare to host the Americas in Toronto in 2015 with the Pan-Am and Parapan Am Games and then take on the world in Rio at the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, having Global Relay as part of our team is a significant boost."

The partnership has also seen Global Relay named title sponsor and operator of the Gastown Grand Prix and the Bridge the Gap Fund.

In 2012, Global Relay invested CAD$1 million (£550,000/$930,000/€690,000) to revive the Gastown Grand Prix, a popular criterium held each July, before providing CAD$400,000 (£219,000/$373,000/€275,000) for the Bridge the Gap Fund, which provides training support for up-and-coming athletes.

The fund supported 15 athletes last year and has assisted five in joining professional cycling teams this season.

The partnership will see Global Relay sponsor the Canadian national team and the Canadian Road Cycling Championships ©Getty Images



"Business and cycling both share key qualities in achieving success on all fronts," said Warren Roy, chief executive and founder of Global Relay

"We find lots of attributes in common, such as hard work, continuous training, technical skills and tenacity.

"Whether you're in sport or business, getting to the point where you can compete globally is a huge undertaking.

"We feel that the Bridge the Gap programme is a stepping stone for youth cycling, all the way to the Olympic podium.

"The Gastown Grand Prix also serves as an extension of that principle."

"Partnering with Cycling Canada is a great opportunity for us to be part of something national.

"Hopefully, we both can help each other compete better globally.

"Team effort is as important in winning a cycling race as it is in business success."

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