Corporate Pursuit Another Huge Success

Nearly 200 Southlanders took on the ILT Velodrome last Sunday in Cycling Southland’s 2011 Harrex Group Corporate Pursuit and lived to tell the tale. Again, it proved to be one of the most-enjoyable events on the jam-packed Cycling Southland calendar. It really is one big party on wheels.

As with any Cycling Southland event, there is a long list of thank yous to hand out. There are two main reasons why this event is the runaway success. One is Sier Vermunt. The other is Julian Ineson. These two do an incredible job and I struggle to recognize their incredible contribution with words on a page. Their passion and organization is the primary reason the event has grown to what it is today. I cannot thank them enough. We are incredibly fortunate to also have a sponsor who literally gets its hands dirty with the event. To Brendon, Nicki and the Harrex Group team go our thanks for all that they contribute.

Already plans are underway for 2012. We asked the teams and riders for feedback on the event. The response has been immediate and overwhelming. 100% of respondents to our feedback survey have rated the event 4 or 5 out of 5 in terms of overall experience, (a 4.67 out of 5 average). 100% have said they want to be a part of it again next year and an incredible 95% are keen to continue riding on the track and road. It’s an incredible endorsement.

Next year represents a massive opportunity for Cycling Southland and the region with our hosting of the 2012 UCI World Junior Track Championships at the ILT Velodrome in August. This year’s Corporate Pursuit intake has found out first hand just how addictive the sport is and it proves once again what an outstanding community facility the ILT Velodrome is. We’re going to make sure as many Southlanders get in here to start the cycling addiction between now and next August.

It’s become my signature saying since coming in to the role at Cycling Southland but it’s never been more true … we are just getting started! It’s incredibly exciting.

Cycling Southland coaches Matt Archibald and Dale Tye have launched follow-up coaching programmes for the entrants and a revised weekly track schedule will commence this month to handle the increased in-take of new riders at both junior and adult levels.

When you combine the incredible feedback from the Corporate Pursuit with the massive increase in numbers we are seeing at beginner level into Matt and Dale’s junior Wheelers track programmes, we are pretty happy that the craze is taking hold.

We are about to launch a new marketing campaign entitled “Come Along for the Ride” so you can expect to hear plenty more about how easy we are going to make it to get started and hooked on the sport on the road and on the ILT Velodrome. Cycling Southland is gearing up for some ride over the next few months.

Nick Jeffrey is Cycling Southland's Chief Execuitve