IMG RENEW TOUR DE ROMANDIE DEAL

IMG Sports Media, a division of IMG Worldwide, announced today that it has renewed its deal with the Fondation Tour de Romandie (FTR) to distribute the worldwide media rights for six stages of the tour starting in April 2010, for a further two years until 2012.

The Tour de Romandie ranks as one of the most prestigious cycling events in the UCI ProTour calendar. The Tour began in 1947, and over time has brought together 160 competitors from all 20 UCI ProTour teams.

This six day stage race is made up of a prologue and five stages, covering the Romandie region – the French speaking part of Switzerland.

The Tour normally travels through the Jura and Alpine mountain ranges of Western Switzerland. Part of the ProTour and now going into its 64th year, its place in the calendar makes the Tour an important part of the cyclists’ build up for the Tour de France.

Tour de Romandie forms part of IMG’s cycling portfolio that also includes the prestigious Tour de Suisse, ENECO Tour and Tour of Germany.  Above all the Tour de Suisse, organized by the IMG office in Zurich, is credited with being the proving ground for the Tour de France and is one of the most important Tours in the UCI World Ranking calendar. 

Christian Salomon, Vice President IMG, Director of Sales & Acquisitions Germany, Austria and Switzerland IMG Media said: “We are delighted to continue our distribution relationship with Fondation Tour de Romandie (FTR).  The renewal of this deal represents the excellent relationship that we have with both the FTR and global broadcasters.”

Richard Chassot, General Manager Tour de Romandie, (FTR) said: “The renewal of our partnership with IMG Media is very important for us. It will allow us to increase the awareness of the Tour de Romandie by bringing the visibility of our sponsors, cantons and host cities to an international level. IMG Media is the perfect partner to market the Tour de Romandie in all relevant key territories and to strengthen the brand ‘Tour de Romandie.”