UCI 'cross World Cup gets sponsor

Cyclo-cross has gotten a vote of confidence in the form of a title sponsor for the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup. The Belgian shoe brand Safety Jogger has signed on as presenting sponsor of the 2007-2008 'cross World Cup series. The first round of the series kicks off in Kalmthout, Belgium on October 21, and the ninth and final leg will be in Hoogerheide, Netherlands on January 20, 2008.

UCI President Pat McQuaid hopes the sponsorship will help the sport grow. "This will bring additional support to cyclo-cross, a sport with a magnificent history, and will help develop cyclo-cross outside the countries where it has been traditionally popular," he said in a statement.

The Safety Jogger brand touts 'fashionable' safety and outdoor shoes, and was launched by the Belgian company Cortina NV in 2001, selling 600,000 pairs of shoes per year.

The first leg of the 2007-2008 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup presented by Safety Jogger, will be held in Belgium in October. The Netherlands will host the 9th and final leg of the 2007-2008 season in January.

2007-2008 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup presented by Safety Jogger calendar:

October 21 – Kalmthout (Belgium)
October 27– Tabor (Czech Republic)
November 11 – Pijnacker (The Netherlands)
November 24 – Koksijde (Belgium)
December 02 – Igorre (Spain)
December 08 – Milan (Italy)
December 26 – Hofstade (Belgium)
January 13– Liévin (France)
January 20– Hoogerheide (The Netherlands)

For more information on the 2007-2008 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup presented by Safety Jogger, please visit www.uci.ch.