19 August, 2022
London: The Professional Triathletes Organisation has announced a three-year partnership with Canyon that will see the market-leading manufacturer become the Official Bike Partner of the new PTO Tour, starting at this weekend’s Collins Cup (20 August).
Their partnership will focus on a shared ambition to excite, engage and grow triathlon’s fan base around the world through a combination of high quality content and the provision of support and educational initiatives at and around PTO Tour events.
Canyon’s credentials in triathlon are well-known, having sponsored and developed bikes with world-class athletes such as Jan Frodeno, Patrick Lange, Daniela Bleymehl and Laura Philipp, but this partnership is seen by both parties as a way to emphasise the uniqueness of triathlon and to strengthen the interaction between pro and age group athletes. At the same time, Canyon and the PTO plan to offer riders on-site services that were previously reserved only for pro athletes.
Tim Godfrey, Chief Marketing Officer at the PTO, commented: “This is a brilliant partnership for both parties on a number of levels. Canyon and the PTO share a very similar philosophy and commitment to taking the sport to the next level. Their unrivalled expertise, bike know-how and relationships with leading athletes such as Jan Frodeno and Laura Philipp will immediately add significant value to the PTO’s Professional and Age Grouper propositions aimed at exciting, engaging and growing triathlon’s fan base around the world.”
Simon Summerscales, Global Head of Marketing at Canyon responded by saying: “We’re big fans of what the PTO is trying to achieve with its athlete-owned disruptive business model. The PTO is bringing an innovative approach to growing participation within the sport, for both the Professional athletes and also for the Age Groupers, who get the unique opportunity to watch the performances of the pro’s on the new PTO Tour and then race on the same courses. That really resonated with our own mission to inspire more people to get on a bike and ride, which we will bring to life through fun and innovative interactions such as educational content, prize-giving and event activation, in particular this year at the Collins Cup and the PTO US Open.”
The inaugural PTO Tour race schedule for 2022 includes: the first-ever PTO Canadian Open (July 23-24); the second edition of $1.5M Ryder Cup-style Collins Cup (August 20), which sees Team Europe take on Team USA and Team International; and the first PTO US Open (September 17-18). Each Open carries a minimum prize money of $1M and will be raced over 100km (2km swim, 80km bike and 18km run).
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For further information
Anthony Scammell, Communications Director [email protected]
Ben Hillsdon, Global Communications Manager, [email protected]
About the Professional Triathletes Organisation
The PTO is a new body co-owned by the professional athletes, seeking to take the sport to the next level and see it grow and thrive. The inaugural PTO Tour race schedule for 2022 includes: the first-ever PTO Canadian Open (July 23-24); the second edition of $1.5M Ryder Cup-style Collins Cup (August 20), which sees Team Europe take on Team USA and Team International; and the first PTO US Open (September 17-18). Each Open carries a minimum prize money of $1M and will be raced over 100km (2km swim, 80km bike and 18km run). In 2023 and 2024, the PTO Tour plans to expand with the PTO European Open and the PTO Asian Open, alongside their US and Canadian equivalents and the Collins Cup.
About Canyon
Canyon is one of the most innovative bike brands in the world. The concept began in founder Roman Arnold’s garage, and grew to be the world’s largest direct-to-customer manufacturer of road, mountain, triathlon, urban, hybrid, and electric bikes.
Canyon have earnt their glowing reputation for innovation through consistently using advanced materials, thinking, and technology. The characteristically classy Canyon design is easy to identify. Alongside being boldly competitive and ever-expanding, they are committed to make the global cycling community accessible for every rider. While Canyon partners with some of the finest athletes on the planet, their mission, ‘Inspire to Ride’, highlights how they work to promote the power of the pedal stroke to everyone.
Canyon products are exclusively available online at www.canyon.com.