06.01.10 - James
Team Sky Launch
It's all about the line. The Telegraph called it "a Hollywood-style launch of Team Sky..."
Thanks to George, Katy, Bethan, Andrea and all the team for a helping FACE put together a world class launch event. Check out www.teamsky.com
01.12.09 - James
Mark shortlisted for SPOTY
Official Release: Mark Cavendish has been nominated for the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, the only cyclist to have made the 2009 shortlist.
In a year packed with memorable performances by British riders, it is testament to Cavendish’s remarkable achievements that he should be the sole cyclist nominated for the biggest prize in British sport. His record-breaking year saw him win six stages of the Tour de France, more than any other rider in this year’s race, as well as taking four stages of Giro d’Italia. He also claimed outright victory in the Milan-San Remo classic, a moment he described as ‘the most beautiful day of my life’.
Cavendish’s twenty-three wins this season make him the most successful pro-rider this year and, should he top the public vote on 13th December, he will become only the third cyclist to win the SPOTY title after Tom Simpson in 1965 and Sir Chris Hoy last year.
Cavendish, who rides for Team Columbia HTC and is managed by cycling agency Face Partnership, had this to say about his nomination:
“I am absolutely thrilled to be nominated for the Sports Personality award. And to be the only cyclist on the list makes it an even bigger honour, especially after so many great performances by other British riders. To be recognised by an award like this, in my home country, is really special.”
When asked about his chances of winning, Cavendish replied, “It would be amazing to win, but we’ll have to wait and see how the public vote on the night. There are some awesome athletes up for the award and I’m just chuffed to be nominated alongside them. It’s going to be a really good night.”
The BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2009 ceremony will be broadcast live from Sheffield Arena on Sunday 13th December.
13.11.09 - James
Revolution
The Championship begins (tomorrow!). The plan is that people will start to follow their favourite team so we want to develop the team identity as much as possible. I am a little worried about some of the song selections by each captain for their team track - an eclectic mix of techno, rock and the Village People!
| Pacers | Jamie Staff | I got a feeling - Black Eyed Peas |
| Dynamo | Luke Roberts | Breathe - Prodigy |
| Vitesse | Roberto Chiappa | Macho Man - Village People |
| Slicks | Craig MacLean | Ace of Spades - Motorhead |
| Forza | Rob Hayles | Welcome to the Jungle - GNR |
| Tempo | Ed Clancy | Serial Thrilla - Prodigy |
| Rollers | Chris Newton | Kasabian - Underdog |
| Flyers | Dean Downing | I predict a riot - Kaiser Chiefs |
We have had some indication that the fans are starting to engage. One sad story in particular stands out as a young fan spent all weekend making a team Vitesse poster only for us to swap the teams round after a request from the sponsor. We received this email through the Revolution site:
I was somewhat surprised to see that Rob Hayles and Roberto Chiappa have switched teams. Whilst this does not have a great consequence for me it does for my ten year old daughter. As a dedicated Rob Hayles fan she selected Vitesse as "her" team for the season and spent the weekend producing a banner to wave on Saturday. Naturally enough she is not a happy girl!
Have no fear - sponsors Dair are already lining up a goody bag of signed Forza goodies for the disappointed fan.
08.07.09 - James
Cav's Bling
Lovin Mark's new paint job - very cool. Nice work Justin...
07.07.09 - James
Edinburgh Nocturne Highlights
25.02.09 - James
Rollapaluza
I've had the Rollapaluza guys at our events for a while but have never had a go myself... until now. Paul and Caspar descended on the Prince Regent pub in Herne Hill which isn't too far from where I live in Crytsal Palace so I thought I would take the heavily pregnant wife down for a look at their normal chaotic pub set up.
I've always known that Rollapaluza were cool, very urban, trendy and all that but didn't quite get it. However, after the lung busting, vomit inducing adrenalin rush enjoyed on Wednesday night, where I might add I qualified for the finals... I totally get it. This is pure masochistic, competitive, insane fun.
I'm now convinced that this can be turned into an awesome booze fuelled corporate slug fest style event: company verses company, ego verses ego, bragging rights across the city up for grabs....
Check out www.rollapaluza.com
24.02.09 - James
Revolution enjoys a sell out season
Saturday 21st February saw the final Revolution event of the 2008-09 season and we said goodbye to French spring legend Arnaud Tournant. Arnaud joins Bradley McGee as pro riders who have selected Revolution as their farewell event this season, showing the popularity of the Series with riders as well as spectators.
Indeed, this season has seen sell outs at every event. Of course this has been helped by the success of our Olympic stars but it has been five years of building the Revolution brand that has ensured we are the number 1 track cycling event.
2009 will be an exciting year for Revolution with plans to take the event to a new level and new audience...
05.12.08 - James
Chris Wins, as does cycling...
A fantastic result for Chris Hoy and cycling in the Sports Personality of the Year with Dave Brailsford winning Best Coach, the GB cycling team winning Best Team and Chris taking the Sports personality of the Year ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Rebecca Adlington.
Official figures show Chris received 283,630 votes compared to Hamilton's 163,864.
Congratulations to Chris, Dave and the whole GB Cycling Team.
Remember to vote for your personal cyclist of the year using our form below (results announced at the January Revolution)
Brailsford and some of the team. Photo: British Cycling
01.10.08 - Fran
Lance
So, went to Varese to watch the worlds and hang out with Dave - and watch the awesome ride by Nicole Cooke - who became the first woman ever to do the double of Olympic and Worlds Road Race in the same year. Spectacular.
Whilst killing time between races the subject of a certain Mr. Armstrong came up - but not in the context you may have expected what with the comeback an' all. No, it was with a wry grin that I was asked if I had seen the "Manager Armstrong" adverts…. and Holy Moly are they funny. I'm thinking of getting a "warrior board" for the FACE office.
Other Clips
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcojlAmHMzk
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=zHtFixj0cWk&feature=related
12.07.08 - James
Salford Nocturne
The Nocturne Series continued on Saturday (30th August) with the Salford Nocturne. I am exhausted now but was really pleased with the production - it exceeded my own expectations. Visually the start / finish area in the main plaza was awesome with the 44 sqm big screen, stage and all the branding creating a world class production.
Chris Hoy and all the other Olympic riders were great so a big thanks to them for helping us attract the crowds. Also want to say a big thanks to Dan Schofield from Salford City Council who was a pleasure to work with and was crucial to the success of the event.
The Salford Nocturne has now really raised the bar for the Nocturne Series and I'm proud of what the team at FACE has achieved. I'm already planning the Series in 2009 with new cities all eager to host a Nocturne event - for all news on the Series go to www.nocturneseries.com
For coverage and results from Salford go to www.salfordnocturne.com
12.07.08 - James
Working with Aftermarket on Revolution
We've teamed up with Matt Ward from Aftermarket to develop a new expo area at Revolution - read the press release >
09.07.08 - Fran
Etape
This year I decided that I'd do it in earnest, actually train, try and stop smoking, lose some weight and get round. For those of you who don't know what "it" is... I am referring to L'Etape du Tour. Every year the organisers of the Tour de France in their infinite wisdom choose a mountain stage of the tour and allow nearly 9000 hapless amateurs the opportunity to emulate their heroes and ride it.
I tried it last year, and failed. This year I tried again. And holy moly it was hard. I had a place in the event courtesy of Rapha, probably the best training in the world courtesy of my friends at British Cycling, a fantastic bike courtesy of crazy scouser Terry Dolan and an overwhelming sense of fear courtesy of last years failure.
I awoke in Pau on the day of the ride (6th July) to the sound of thunder. Not cool.
The ride itself was 169 kilometres long and took in the classic climbs of the Tourmalet and the Hautacam. It rained all day, and the visibility for the final 6 km of each of the climbs was down to about 20 meters. I went to a very strange place at around 3km into the Tourmalet and never really left it, I cried, laughed and talked my way through to the end, learnt that I have an internal dialogue that is not only very loud but also hugely motivating, experienced a level of cold I haven't before and managed to ride past a few skinny boys on nice bikes who'd got off to walk.
I am very proud of myself for doing it and came into the office this morning clutching my finishers medal like it was Olympic Gold. I plan to return to l'etape next year fitter, stronger and able to get a real gold medal, the one you get if you're in the top percent of your age or sex category.
I will keep you informed of my progress.
04.07.08 - Camilla
London Festival of Architecture Launch
With the London Festival of Architecture (LFA 2008) now in its second week, I've been co-ordinating the architects, politicians, and celebs who are leading the 14 cycle tours. With four rides in the next five days and the inevitable last minute changes, it has been a pretty busy week. Nonetheless, with over 100 participants expected to attend the upcoming tours this week, they are one of the most popular attractions of the LFA 2008.
High profile leaders for this weeks tours include; Emily Thornberry MP (the most famous MP on a bicycle!), Professor Ricky Burdett (chief adviser on architecture and urbanism for the London 2012 Olympics) and Wayne Hemmingway MBE, (one half of the team behind Red or Dead). Being a bit of a bike nut, Wayne was keen to upgrade his old cycle and the generous people at Halfords Bikehut not only couriered over a GT Zum for him, but also a sent Carrera Subway for his wife too!
Another three rides are taking place next week, the highlight of which will surely be the Barry Mason (of Southwark Cyclists) tour of Subterranean London. Using his incredible network of contacts across the city, Barry has arranged a once in a lifetime tour, and will be visiting some of London’s fantastic lost, buried and not-so buried history.
Check it out - www.lfa2008.org
12.06.08 - James
Nocturne Folding Bike Race
Well the seond Smithfield Nocturne is over and it is a huge sigh of relief from me - I'm chuffed that I didn't end up in hospital this year and actually got to see it (another story!)
I love this photo below - it shows just how seriously our competitors were taking the folding bike race.
Indeed, after the first round my Tech Director Tony and I were approached by several racers complaining about the folding protocols, something we hadn't expected! The decision to make the bikes unfolded for the final to level the playing field may have been the wrong one so we opend it up for a bit of a debate and were surprised with how much input we got - take a look on the Smithfield Nocturne site>
