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Škoda New Zealand Goes For Gold With World Champion Cyclist Alison Shanks

Saturday 1 November 2014, 12:14AM

By Beckie Wright

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ŠKODA is welcoming World Champion cyclist Alison Shanks into the family today as an official Ambassador, who will strengthen the brand’s association with cycling. This three-year deal cements ŠKODA NZ's long-standing association with cycling, which already includes sponsorship of the National Cycling Centre of Excellence - Avantidrome, an ambassador program of young cyclists and sponsorship of local cycling events.

ŠKODA NZ will use its sponsorship activity to promote the benefits of cycling and to encourage more Kiwi families to take up the sport. ŠKODA NZ enjoys an outstanding reputation among cyclists, and looks to continue to build its support of the sport over the coming years. Greg Leet, General Manager of ŠKODA New Zealand, commented: “Cycling is enjoying a huge revival in the NZ at the moment and ŠKODA is incredibly proud to be part of it. New Zealand boasts many of the sport’s brightest stars, including Alison Shanks, which makes us very excited to have her on board. We hope this will inspire families all over New Zealand to get out on their bikes and have fun!”

Alison is equally excited about the partnership: “I said when I retired that once a cyclist, always a cyclist and ŠKODA has provided me with an amazing opportunity to extend my involvement in New Zealand Cycling as they too look to stamp their mark on Cycling in New Zealand and support our sport. As I make the transition from professional athlete to motherhood the move from the Volkswagen Golf to the ŠKODA Octavia RS makes perfect sense – It is a clever car with tonnes of room for both my bike and the baby buggy, but still sporty enough for that racer that will always be in me. I’m really excited and I know ŠKODA are committed to supporting cycling for all Kiwi’s young and old.”

Shanks, a double Olympian in 2008 and 2012, and Commonwealth Games Champion in Delhi in 2010, burst onto the cycling scene in 2006 after a career in Netball. She made steady progress finishing 4th at her first Olympics in Beijing 2008. Disappointed to narrowly miss a medal Shanks rectified this in 2009 by winning her first World Championship title. However she states her career highlight was being crowned World Champion for the second time in 2012, Melbourne, when her family were in the stands supporting her and they were able to celebrate together.  “Family support is so important to me and to have them there in the stands was so special”

Shanks retired earlier this year but has remained heavily involved in cycling and currently sits on the BikeNZ Board. Alison and her husband Craig have just welcomed their first child, “Just growing the future of New Zealand cycling” jokes Ali. “I’m looking forward to sharing this next journey with ŠKODA and I know they share my passion for cycling in New Zealand.”

For more information please go to http://www.skoda.co.nz .