TEAM SKY TAKE ENGLAND CRICKETERS FOR A RIDE
Yesterday three England cricketers had to show real wheel-power
as their spinning skills were put to the test in a cycling master
class by Team Sky.
Test Captain Andrew Strauss, Stuart Broad and Graham Onions took
part in a number of exercises under the expert supervision of Team
Sky riders, Luke Rowe, Ian Stannard and Alex Dowsett.
The time in the saddle was organised by Jaguar, Official Vehicle
Supplier of the England Cricket Team and Sky Pro
Cycling.
The three cricketers were chaperoned around the Jaguar testing
track in Warwickshire by the new Jaguar XF Sportbrake, the Official
Vehicle of Sky Pro Cycling, which will provide invaluable support
to the team during the impending Tour de France and
beyond.
With the Tour de France around the corner, could the men in whites
mount a surprise challenge for the yellow jersey? Sadly, it
wasn't to be. Despite having the pace of Broad and Onions, the
cricketing trio couldn't match the speed of Team Sky.
England Test Captain, Andrew Strauss, said: "Today has been an
amazing experience. It's not every day you get to train with Team
Sky. We had a go at various time trial exercises which was a lot of
fun. Full credit to the riders, they make it look easy and thanks
to the coach for some top tips."
On the new XF Sportbrake, Strauss said: "I've never seen so many
bikes on one roof! It certainly looks like the right car for the
job."
Ken Forbes, Jaguar Marketing Communications Director said: "It's
a pleasure to welcome the England cricketers and Team Sky to our
testing track. We are very proud to support both teams through our
official partnerships which align well with Jaguar's performance
theme and brand positioning of feeling alive.
He added: "Today has been a great opportunity to celebrate British
sporting success and showcase the new Jaguar XF Sportbrake in
action which we recently announced as the official vehicle of Sky
Pro Cycling. It brings a new dimension to the Jaguar range,
striking a balance between performance, style and
functionality."
Alex Dowsett, Great Britain National Time Trial Champion Team Sky
rider said: "Andrew, Stuart and Graham did a great job today. Time
trial training requires strength, stamina, focus and above all,
teamwork. They were quick to settle into a rhythm and looked
comfortable alongside the Sportbrake. Overall, a very good effort
considering it was their first time on the bikes and I'd be
interested to see how the riders would fare in the nets at
Lords!"
Jaguar is Official Vehicle Supplier of the England Cricket Team and Sky Pro Cycling. For more information on the XF Sportbrake, visit www.jaguar.co.uk
- ENDS -
Please contact the following for more information;
- Jaguar XF Sportbrake
Claire Boakes - Sport & Lifestyle Jaguar PR - cboakes@jaguar.com / 07557 846883
To download the XF Sportbrake full press kit please click here: XF Sportbrake Press Kit or visit www.media.jaguar.com
- England Cricket Team
Jennie Smith - Sports Brand Partners Manager - jsmi1136@jaguarlandrover.com / 01926 649448
- Sky Pro Cycling
Rob Jorgensen - Team Sky PR Manager - robert.jorgensen@bskyb.com / 07711 172 729
NOTE TO EDITORS
Jaguar XF Sportbrake
- The XF Sportbrake is the most versatile derivative of the Jaguar XF
- It represents a compelling combination of elegance and capability - both practical and dynamic
- It extends Jaguar's design leadership in a new direction to create a desirable, premium estate
- Remote-fold levers drop the 60:40 split rear seats (with integral ski-hatch) to create up to 1675 litres of load-space
- A full five-seater with an additional 48mm of rear headroom
- New rear air suspension allows for self-levelling while load carrying with no dynamic penalty
- Jaguar's Adaptive Dynamics System - which continuously monitors the suspension and can adjust damping rates accordingly up to 500 times a second - is available on all XF Sportbrake derivatives
- Tailgate features 'soft-close' as standard, and can be specified with fully powered open/close functionality
- Acclaimed premium-quality interior materials used in the cabin are also a feature of the load-space
- Available with both Aero and Black styling packs from launch for additional on-the-road presence
- Driven by Jaguar's refined, powerful and efficient range of four- and six-cylinder turbo-diesel engines
- Matches the XF saloon for both aerodynamics, torsional stiffness and dynamic handling ability
- A range of accessories - both internally mounted by floor rails and externally by roof rails - extends the versatility of the XF Sportbrake still further
Jaguar England Cricket Team Partnership
- Jaguar is now its third year as Official Vehicle Supplier of the England Cricket Team. Lasting an initial four years, the partnership sees England's centrally contracted players drive the Jaguar XK, XJ or XF models.
Team Sky
- Team Sky are a British-based professional cycling team that competes in the UCI WorldTour. Their objective is to inspire people of all ages and abilities to get on their bikes, to support competitive cycling in Great Britain, and create a winner of the Tour de France by 2013. Team Sky have claimed 29 victories so far in 2012, 72 podium positions, and currently sit top of the UCI WorldTour's team rankings.