Spy, the Southern Calif.-based purveyor of technical sunglasses, goggles and prescription eyewear, has joined USA Cycling as an official sponsor.
Along with supporting the development of America's next generation of world champions and Olympic medalists, this multi-year partnership allows SPY to build upon its heritage in cycling and technical eyewear development, further integrating its brand, products, events and athletes, including USA Cycling Professional Road Race National Champion Matthew Busche and Cyclo-cross stars Jonathan Page and Nicole Duke, into the broader USA Cycling universe of high-performance athletes, events and community.
As a part of the partnership, new USA Cycling model Performance Screw sunglasses, replete with SPY's patented Scoop anti-fog technology, are being produced this spring in the colors of Ol' Glory exclusively for USA Cycling members.
SPY is activating its sponsorship through a number of USA Cycling platforms, including presence at 17 USA Cycling National Championship events and supplying high-performance product for use by USA Cycling's development teams.
Equally exciting, the 70,000-plus members of USA Cycling and its 3,000 registered clubs and teams will be afforded special opportunities on all SPY-related products as part of a USA Cycling membership.
The partnership was reached in conjunction with sports marketing and entertainment company Wasserman Media Group, which was retained by USA Cycling to assist in establishing greater sponsorship value and identifying potential partnership opportunities for the national governing body.
“As a company of dedicated cycling enthusiasts and competitive athletes, including an active Category 1 Cyclo-cross racer as its president and CEO, SPY is the perfect partner for USA Cycling, whose members will directly benefit from the utility of SPY's quality, technical eyewear in every discipline,” said USA Cycling President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Johnson. “SPY is a hands-on partner and we have some exciting programs planned to elevate the brand of USA Cycling, avail SPY's incredible product to our constituency, and raise awareness of cycling and bicycle culture in the U.S. as a true lifestyle interest.”
Michael Marckx, SPY president and CEO, said: “We are a coastal San Diego brand with a history in cycling across its entire spectrum — road, mountain, BMX, 'cross and fixie — as SPY was launched with the highest-quality technical eyewear possible for bike fanatics, which includes ourselves and our friends who also ride and race. It's wonderful that we are able to provide immediate value in the way of our new, exciting technical eyewear, goggles and Rx frames to everybody in the mix, even as we look forward to working with USA Cycling on great programs that will mutually enhance our shared interests and improve the cycling experience in myriad ways for USA Cycling members across the country and internationally.”
Together, USA Cycling and SPY are ready to gear-up bike riders across America, to enhance the sport's profile in every discipline, and raise awareness and provide motivation for healthy, active lifestyles in 2012.
