Having the support of SD Sealants has meant the Wales Racing Academy have been able to develop Wales’ cyclists and provide a pathway to the international stage.
The company was established in 1973, and has gone onto become one of the largest, family-run sealants specialists in the UK. They also offer services in cosmetic repairs, marine services, tiling and painting and decorating.
After the academy’s launch back in 2018, the helping-hand that the company has provided has not only enabled the team to achieve much success over the previous season, but it also allows our coaches to further support and prepare them for the world of professional cycling.
Being an avid follower of cycling in Wales, SD Sealants got involved with Welsh Cycling back in 2015 and from there the partnership has continued to develop in strength. Having supported individual athletes in the past, the company is aware of the sacrifices, hard-work and determination that this sport demands of its athletes.
Following on from supporting Scott Davies, Stevie Williams and Amy Roberts on an individual basis, SD Sealants decided to collectively support Welsh Cycling and its riders. Being a company that is based in Wales, Managing Director, Nick Jones, is primarily keen to support Welsh sporting teams, saying: “SD Sealants are very proud to sponsor the Wales Racing Academy. They are a bunch of real good lads, and they’ve got good standards.”
Not only is Jones a keen supporter of the sport in general, but he recognizes the importance of enabling the younger generations to find their feet. He said: “Cycling is something that I’ve always been very interested in, I just really like it as a sport. I just felt that it was a good thing to back the younger generations coming through that could potentially be successful.”
It is evident that playing a vital role in the beginning of these athletes’ careers, and also aiding the development of competitive cycling in Wales is key for the company as Jones stated: “I didn’t get involved with Welsh Cycling from a commercial point of view, I did it to support the young Welsh athletes coming through and help them in their sporting careers.”
“It’s entirely about the help as unfortunately for the riders at the early part of their career, it’s a real struggle – they’ve really got to want it,” he continued.
This is the second year that SD Sealants have been involved with the U23 Wales Racing Academy, and it is something that the company continue to be very impressed by. The Managing Director claimed: “It’s a really good set up, and they’ve got some really good guys working within it, along with the coaches Rob Partridge and Darren Tudor. The riders are a really good bunch of lads to work with so it’s just a really good thing to be involved with.”
He continued: “Darren and Rob obviously want to pass on all their knowledge and experience as directly as they can to the boys to give them the best opportunity to progress in their careers and also to look after and nurture them”.
Being witness to the extent of hard-work that is required of these riders in quite an unsung sport was a key motivation for SD Sealants to get involved with the academy. Jones emphasised: “The commitment that is required on and off the bike for basically 11 months of the year is a sacrifice I don’t think many people would be prepared to make like these guys do from an early age. Having been around the riders, you can see the extent of commitment that they give to the sport for very little reward, I would say.”
“The riders put in a lot of hours. However, so do Rob and Darren behind the scenes to give them a really good programme to work to.”
The Welsh company has also provided a helping-hand for the Junior Tour of Wales. Jones commented: “This was because their funder withdrew at the last minute so we stepped up to ensure that these opportunities are maintained in Wales. Again, this was another chance to support the younger riders coming through the ranks.”
Head Coach of Welsh Cycling, Darren Tudor, said: “SD Sealants have played a major part in the development of some of our elite athletes. This support initially begun on an individual basis, playing a significant role in helping these riders to progress in their careers.
However, as changes have been made within Welsh Cycling, some of these would not have been possible without Nick’s continued support. Since being involved with the Wales Racing Academy over the last two years, the collective support that Nick has provided the Academy has been instrumental in allowing these riders to advance in their careers and onto the international stage,” Tudor continued.
Without the generosity of SD Sealants, the U23 Wales Racing Academy would not have been able to reach the success and the heights that it has collectively and for the riders individually over the past two years.
