advert:Layout 1 6/6/08 14:44 Page 1
an idea, said he knew we were interested in was on home roads in the Ras de Cymru, working
sponsoring and putting together a cycling team. on team tactics, the quiet build up helping in “To see heroes like Colin Jackson competing
china. there and the standard of competition, it meant
“He suggested bringing about a new female that when the cycling bug bit me and I wanted to
cycling team, which was not what we were It was all a key partnership in making sure Nicole start racing the Olympics was the ultimate dream
thinking about at the time, and it would revolve was in position to launch her bid for gold in the and the ultimate goal.
around a lady called Nicole Cooke. last few hundred yards in Beijing.
“The Olympics is the top of cycling, even the
“It would bring her back to the UK, give her the The Welsh Sports Hall of Fame has inducted stage races over two weeks are not the same,
support and focus so that she did not have to go more than 100 great sportspeople, however the Olympics is the pinnacle of women’s cycling –
out and win every race, but to have a sponsor Nicole Cooke is in the process of taking Welsh another level beyond.
Package Includes:
who would support her needs. sporting achievement to a new level – raising the
bar again. “Being a gold medallist is wonderful, it is still
“We are a big retailer, selling bikes for more than sinking in and it will take a little while to absorb
• Dedicated seat in the Really Welsh Pavilion Stand
100 years, so we were looking for something Joe Calzaghe is one of the greatest ever boxers to it all.
to help promote us as a place for the serious have been produced in Britain, Ian Woosnam was
cyclist as well as doing something for the sport a Masters champion and world number one, Colin “I want to keep on competing until London 2012,
• Tickets for all sporting events held at the SWALEC Stadium
of cycling. Jackson a double world champion and world it would be really special to be part of a home
record holder, Richard Meade and Lynn Davies Olympics so that is one of my targets.”
for no extra cost
“When you are a really big player in the market are the only other individual Welsh Olympic gold
you do have a commitment to the wider medallists. She also acknowledges the help of family and
community. sponsors in giving her the chance to win the gold.
• Guaranteed access to the Silver Club Lounge
Gareth Edwards and John Charles were great
“So we talked about bringing Nicole back but also players in their team sports, but world number “Road racing is always lots of barriers and that is
having a team with some fantastic young talent. one, World Cup winner, Commonwealth Games normal for me, you know what is coming and you
The great thing is that is married together brand gold medallist, now Olympic gold medallist and have to do it,” she said. • Right to buy an additional 6 tickets for npower Ashes Test Match
aspirations and testing a new product, which was world champion, Nicole Cooke has a list to top
a bike designed by Chris Boardman.” them all. “It is the family which started me in the sport so
it is thanks to them, all the time my parents put
• ALL for just £575 per annum(inclusive of VAT)
Once Nicole had given her feedback about the In the cycling world there are those who would in helping me go to races or training. It is a very
bike and suggested some changes, the cost went argue that her wins in the women’s Tour de important part of my life
up to several thousand pounds for a new bike France and the Giro D’Italia are even bigger, but
specially for Beijing, which was the first time most winning those did not make her a household “It is a very important to have a supportive team
of the Halfords marketing team had seen it. name in britain. in Halfords who shared my goal, which was the
Olympic Games and to be Olympic champion, it
That bike will be available commercially next year, The Olympics will and Cooke is aware she has was the perfect combination.
with the obvious marketing potential, but perhaps entered a new level.
it was the team element which helped Nicole “I will not change, with the same perspective and
most. “I have known since I was watching the Barcelona point of view, but I think the opportunities that
Olympics, the first ones I really remember, what come, the welcome and the warmth from the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION,
For instance Nicole’s final event before Beijing the Olympics meant,” she said. Welsh public - that will last for the rest of my life” PLEASE CALL OUR SALES
TEAM ON 029 2041 9353
sportingwales
issue4twothousand&eight
SW_Issue4.indd 22 9/10/08 15:32:26
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52