News from Sports Tours International

Posted: Thursday August 7, 2008

David Cameron thanks Sports Tours International

When Salford based Sports Tours International discovered last week that the leader of the opposition had had his bike stolen there was no need to put to a vote as to what action should be taken. They immediately offered Mr. Cameron a cycle holiday at Club la Santa in Lanzarote and the opportunity to take one of the bikes back with him for personal use or to donate to his favourite charity. Via email through his private secretary Laurence Mann, David Cameron has thanked Sports Tours for their very generous offer made to him to join in the Club La Santa cycle training camps and the offer of a new bicycle. Mr. Mann included in the email that David appreciated all the kind messages of support and generous offers of help which he received.

David’s stolen bike was found and returned to him by the Sunday Mirror. David is absolutely delighted to have his bike, which he described after its theft as an “old friend”, back in safe hands. The email continues: Because David has had his bike returned, we cannot accept your kind offer of a new bicycle, but David has asked me to thank you very much for your thoughtful offer. David has also already arranged his summer holiday this year and the rest of the time he will be working, so he is unable to take you up on your offer to visit the training camp in Lanzarote. Thank you for taking the time to get in touch and for your considerate offer of help. David really is most grateful.

Commenting on the thank you Sports Tours Brendan Fox says: “We were delighted to receive Mr. Cameron’s thank you and are only sorry that he couldn’t take up our offer to visit the cycle training camp. I am sure he would have had a good time and his cycle would have been safe too!”
Posted August 08

Sports Tours International Rescue!

Forget Scott Tracy or Virgil, when it comes to International Rescue think Sports Tours International. The Manchester based company upon hearing of the plight of the leader of the opposition, the Rt Hon David Cameron, and the theft of his bike, have contacted his office to offer him the use of a new bike at the resort of Club La Santa in Lanzarote. If Mr Cameron takes up the offer, Sports Tours International have informed him he may keep the bike he uses during his time at Club La Santa or donate a bike to his chosen charity.

Brendan Fox, Sports Tours Head of Operations said: “When we heard the news today we emailed Mr Cameron with our offer. The summer recess has just begun so I imagine he will need transport to attend to duties in his constituency of Witney, and what better way to do that in keeping with his green issues then by cycling to his surgery”.

Bicycle theft has doubled in the UK since the mid 1990s, with reports showing that over half a million bikes are currently stolen every year. Brendan adds: “We have put down a few rules for cyclists to ensure Mr Cameron doesn’t get caught out a second time”.
1. Make a note of the bike’s frame number and take a picture of the bike and keep it in a safe place.
2. Use an ultraviolet marker to mark the frame of the bike.
3. Only use a good quality D-lock. A poor quality lock at the lower end of the market can be easily sawn through or bolt cropped in seconds.
4. Always lock your bike to something immovable or at least as strong as the lock.
Posted July 08

European Masters Track Championships

As a further sign of its position as Europe’s number 1 cycling travel company, Sports Tours International is sponsoring the 2008 European Masters Track Championships being held between July 29th and August 2nd at the Manchester Velodrome. This is sure to be a fantastic event and the crowd will be excited to see world class track cycling back at Manchester after Great Britain success at this year’s World Championships. For up to date information on the championships, please visit their website
Posted July 08

Le Tour de France drives cycling sales up

Britain’s Tour de France double stage winner, Mark Cavendish 23 from the Isle of Man, has caused the staff at Manchester based Sports Tours International something of a headache that many businesses in this doom and gloom financial climate would welcome. Since Mark won his second stage in Toulouse, the first Britain to do so since Barry Hoban in 1973, the hits on the STI website have gone up by 40%.

Brendan Fox, Sports Tours International Head of Operations comments: “During the Tour de France bookings for our cycle tours do increase as do the hits on our website. But the volume of traffic we have had since Mark took the second stage at Toulouse has been phenomenal. We wish Mark the very best for the remainder of the race and look forward to seeing him cycle down the Champs Elysées on July 27th”.

Mark made his Tour de France debut last year, when the race started in London, but a crash en route to Canterbury denied him the chance of success. Insiders now expect Mark to battle through the Pyrenees and Alps in an attempt to fine-tune his form for Beijing. Brendan adds: “More and more people are having concerns about the environment and green initiatives which has lead to an increase in people cycling to school, work or for pure pleasure. We are pleased that we are able to offer family cycling holidays across Europe”.

Sports Tours International is the single largest Cycling Tour Operator in the UK, if not the world and has Official Tour Operator status with Le Tour de France.
Posted July 08

Sports Tours sponsors the City of Manchester 10k

Sports Tours International has announced its support of the City of Manchester 10k run taking place on July 6th. It is the ideal event for all runners, either inexperienced or seasoned, and takes in a route around the Sportcity complex. Visit the Manchester YMCA Harriers website for more details.
Posted June 08

Jenson Button: from Formula One to Triathlon

As the Exclusive agent for UK and Ireland for Club La Santa in Lanzarote, we were please to see Jenson Button telling John Naish from The Times why his new sport -triathlon – is as punishing as life in the fast lane.

Button says he began triathlon training a year ago partly to boost his stamina and partly out of boredom. “I go to Lanzarote to train at the Club La Santa, which is used by Olympic athletes because it’s warm all year round. They do mini-triathlons there, so I got into doing it.”

To read more please visit The Times Online website
Posted June 08

IMG ‘Tri’ Sports Tours for size

One of the World’s leading mass participation event organizers, has announced today an exclusive partnership with Sports Tours International. Manchester based Sports Tours, is the UK’s leading multi-sports travel tour operator, specialising in cycling, running, golf and specialist training camps. The exclusive arrangement will see Sports Tours manage and market all of IMG mass participation sport’s travel and accommodation requirements for triathlon participants across many of their worldwide events.

Commenting on the agreement, IMG’s Clive Sanders said: “Sports Tours International has a great sporting heritage. Their customer focus and product knowledge made them our ideal partner of choice for our triathlon, running and cycling offer.”

Additional to the triathlon activity, Sports Tours and IMG will be joining forces on cycling events and specialist training camps in Lanzarote at Club La Santa, where Sports Tours is the exclusive sales agent in the UK and Ireland.

Sports Tours International’s Chief Executive Chris Bird added: “Over the next five years, Sports Tours will become one of Europe’s leading sporting tour operators. To be chosen by IMG Mass Participation Sport as an exclusive partner is great recognition of our achievements over the last two decades and is a real feather in the cap for our owners, directors and product teams.”

As an exciting way to launch this new venture, IMG has made available to Sports Tours, some additional exclusive entry places for triathletes for previously “sold out” events, including The Mazda London Triathlon in August as well as the recently launched Stockholm Triathlon in August. Further details are available here
Posted April 08

Sport Relief Super Cycle

Sports Tours International were pleased to support the SPORT RELIEF “super cycle” by handing over a cheque for £1000 to Adrian Chiles and Alan Shearer.

In the picture we have Brendan Fox, Head of Operations, handing over the cheque at The Hawthorns, home of West Bromwich Albion, with Shearer and Chiles, as they stop off on their “super cycle” ride form St James Park to BBC Studios in London.
Posted April 08

Sports Travel Leader Backs University Boat Race

Sports Tours International, one of the UK`s leading specialist sports travel companies, have agreed a sponsorship deal with the 2008 “Two Cities Boat Race”.

Next month, the Universities of Manchester and Salford will go head to head in the 37th Two Cities Boat Race on Saturday 10th May at Salford Quays. The crews from the two universities will compete along the traditional River Irwell course, which starts at Sam Platts Pub and finishes at the Lowry Bridge. Every year thousands of spectators line the banks of Salford Quays to watch the fiercely contested spectacle.

Commenting on the recent deal, Sports Tours International Chief Executive Chris Bird said, “We are delighted to be part of another great regional sporting event. The Two Cities Boat Race attracts hundreds of spectators every year, and we want to be part of its development!”

Salford University’s Head of Development, Michelle Bryant commented, “We are thrilled that Sportstours International has joined forces with the Two Cities Boat Race to help make it even bigger and better this year. The event is fast becoming one of the highlights of the region’s sporting calendar, and we look forward to working with our new partner to make the day a great success.”

Bird added “As a Manchester based tour operator, it is important that we support local sporting initiatives alongside the major international events that we take over 20,000 participants and spectators to each year.”

More than a thrilling sporting event, the Two Cities Boat Race is a social highlight: As well as the universities’ boat race, spectators are treated to the spectacle of dragon boat racing and a festive atmosphere along the Quayside, with food, drink and live entertainment all day long.
Posted April 08

International Football Team Choose Sports Tours International

Sports Tours International, one of the UK`s leading specialist sports travel companies, has arranged for the Icelandic Women’s National Football Team to train at Browns Leisure and Sport Resort in Portugal as they prepare to participate in the Annual Algarve Cup at the beginning of March, which is a global invitational tournament for national teams in women’s football. Held annually in the Algarve region of Portugal since 1994, it is one of the most prestigious women’s football events.

Beginning life in 1986, the Browns Sport and Leisure Club was a small yet illustrious tennis club known as ‘Rock Gardens.’ It has developed dramatically over the years, and in 2000 was officially inaugurated. In that same year, Alan Brown projected his vision beyond the local vicinity, by realising the potential of developing an exclusive sports training centre, welcoming both professional and amateur sports people. Located in Vilamoura, in the Algarve, Browns is now one of the most exclusive resorts in Europe. The facilities and climates at Browns Leisure and Sports Resort are perfect for football training, and they aim to provide the perfect environment for the players and management team to gain maximum benefits from their visit to the resort. A number of top clubs have already chosen Browns for their pre – season training camps, pre – competition training camps and international breaks. Custom – made camps are created based on individual requests, taking into account the following; training requirements, duration of camp, training facilities, nutritional requests, friendly matches, medical and support network, time of year and leisure facilities.

Commenting on the deal Sports Tours International Chief Executive Chris Bird said; “We are delighted to have been chosen to put together this programme for the Icelandic team. Our reputation in sports travel and tour management is excellent and providing such services for professional or amateur organisations is something we continue to build on”