Deaf Sports Events11th June 2014

Deaf Cycling's Tour de Formosa

UK Deaf Cycling's Tom Smith to ride in the Tour de Formosa

by Sarah Lawrence


An elite cyclist and medalist from the Deaflympics, Tom Smith has entered UK Deaf Cycling in a Deaf road race event. Supported by UK Deaf Sport, Tom is seeking to increase awarness and involvement in UK Deaf Cycling and is using the event to promote the opportunities that exist. An accomplished elite cyclist, Tom's training routine for these gruelling road races takes time and his involvement takes money. Despite his achievements and Great Britain representation pedigree, UK Deaf Cycling is the poor relation in UK Sport, with little recognition that being deaf often becomes a barrier to entry in mainstream competition.

Tom's achievements are already impressive and with his steely determination and commitment along with GB Deaf Sport we are backing him for further success. Tom took a few moment out of his busy training schedule to tell me, "This will be the first time Great Britain Deaf Cycling will be represented at the event. It's a step forward for the organisation and it is the biggest race on the Deaf Cycling calendar. Deaf cycling events are important for the future generation. I personally came up through mainstream racing before I even knew about deaf sport, and I never saw any other deaf kids competing when I was younger. So my aim is to get more deaf children involved and show them that you can have a future in sport."

UK Deaf Cycling News Release

Tour de Formosa.

3- I am looking for a title sponsor. The budget stands at £2000, but any one sponsor/business doesn't have to provide the full amount. As it is a big event I am looking to get brand new kit made, so the title sponsor will have their logo featuring prominently on the kit. 

I am sure you will have heard of the prestigious ‘Le Tour de France’ cycle race which is held annually in July for 21 days. In October this year, the Taipei Deaf Sports Federation are organising a Deaf version of Tour de France; the Tour de Formosa. This race is held in Taiwan and held over 8 days. Please see this link for the race website http://deaftourdetaiwan.deafsports.org.tw/

This will be the first time Great Britain Deaf Cycling will be represented at the event. It's a step forward for the organisation and it is the biggest race on the Deaf Cycling calendar.

GBDC and UK Deaf Sport receive no income or funding. Therefore, we have to search hard to get to the top events. The top teams in cycling spend millions in preparation for Le Tour de France. Great Britain Deaf Cycling are searching for £2000 for this event. Tom Smith will be attending this alone so he will need all the help he can get for this race!

Please see the link below for what GBDC can do for any potential sponsors. I am looking for a title sponsor. The budget stands at £2000, but any one sponsor/business doesn't have to provide the full amount. As it is a big event, I am looking to get brand new kit made, so the title sponsor will have their logo featuring prominently on the kit. 

GBDC- Tour de Formosa Sponsorship

Please spread the word and thank you in advance for any interest.

Article by Sarah Lawrence

posted in Deaf Sport / Deaf Sports Events

11th June 2014