Yodel gears up to support OVO Energy Tour of Britain
Parcel carrier official logistics partner of Tour of Britain for eighth year running
Parcel carrier Yodel is once again providing support for the OVO Energy Tour of Britain international cycling race. As with previous years, Yodel is supplying the logistics that deliver the premier event, including an eye-catching, branded trailer and 20 vans which will transport over 12,000 items, including flags, hospitality and safety equipment and the all-important finishing line gantry and winners’ podium. Yodel will also transport the teams’ equipment around the country to each Tour stage.
Yodel has a long-standing relationship with the Tour of Britain, having partnered with the event since 2010. The carrier has a focus on retail and delivers 145 million parcels nationwide every year. Although the majority of its deliveries are carried out by van, Yodel uses cycle couriers in congested areas, including Pedal & Post in Oxford, BoxBike in Stevenage and Pedicabs in Hereford and is exploring the wider use of pedal bikes in other parts of its network.
The Tour of Britain, which is the UK’s biggest professional road cycling race, runs over eight consecutive days, from the 3rd – 10th of September. Just like its foreign counterparts including the Tour de France, the event sees international cycling stars including Mark Cavendish and Geraint Thomas compete for the coveted jerseys. This year’s event started in Edinburgh and will cover over 1,300km, finishing up in Cardiff. The multi-stage cycling race is conducted on public roads, and is Britain’s largest free-to-watch live annual sporting event. In addition, Yodel also supports the Tour’s sister events, including the Women’s Tour, Tour Series and Tour Ride, which also sees Yodel colleagues get on their bikes to raise money for charity.
Mike Cooper, CEO at Yodel, said: “We’re excited to be supporting the Tour of Britain once again this year. It’s a thrilling competition that gathers huge crowds of spectators at every stage and sees international cycling superstars hit our streets. Yodel has supported this sporting fixture for eight consecutive years, and the synergies between the event and our own operation in terms of teamwork, pace and national reach make it a natural fit. We look forward to showcasing our logistics expertise over the coming days.”
Mick Bennett, Race Director at SweetSpot Management, which organises the event said: “We’re delighted to be working with Yodel again this year. They have been our long-standing logistics partner and without their support and expertise, we simply wouldn’t be able to run the races, moving hundreds of tonnes of equipment through Scotland, England and Wales over the period of eight days. The role they play in the events is vital.”
For more information, visit www.thetour.co.uk or catch the action on ITV4.