Women's cycling - major sponsor pulls out as policies are not 'trans inclusive'

[Xoxoxoxoxoxox]

Helen joice has just put this up on twitter.
A new major sponsor is being sought to ensure that the 6th Women’s CiCLE Classic and 8th Junior Men’s edition of the race can go ahead as planned, following the decision of longstanding sponsor Pete Stanton to withdraw his sponsorship of the races...due to the decision to not include trans atheletes.

• A man tries to use his money to force women to accept transwomen in women's races.

I hadn't thought about the trans activism behind sponsorships deals that fund women's sport that must go on behind the scenes but here is an example laid bare. The men's races are not under threat just the women's races of course.

www.velouk.net/2022/04/12/news-sponsors-needed-for-womens-junior-cicle-classic/.

Never seen any cycle race and have zero interest but I will do some gardening to support these sportswomen. Male money should not buy women. Go Vipers!

It's true that it's not for me going to be an ongoing commitment. It would be more a piece of support for this race given that Mr Stanton, who does of course have the right to spend his own money how he likes, has pulled out such a short time ahead of the event. British Cycling need to make a longer term sponsorship deal.

@PermanentTemporary

It's true that it's not for me going to be an ongoing commitment. It would be more a piece of support for this race given that Mr Stanton, who does of course have the right to spend his own money how he likes, has pulled out such a short time ahead of the event. British Cycling need to make a longer term sponsorship deal.

I'd see this as a one off to ensure that this race can still go ahead and give some breathing space to find a new sponsor. But I'll certainly give this time!

Apparently the race will go ahead due to a 'phenomenal response' to a plea for sponsorship.

Put your spades away, vipers! (But remember where you put them because there's bound to be a next time.)

@ifIwerenotanandroid

Apparently the race will go ahead due to a 'phenomenal response' to a plea for sponsorship.

Put your spades away, vipers! (But remember where you put them because there's bound to be a next time.)

Have you a link to this, please?

£15K is not really major sponsorship I. The grand scheme of things. He is a nobody who has proven himself to be unreliable by pulling out of a promise at the last minute. I reckon there are at least 15,000 women who would donate ten quid to protect women’s cycling for biological women. The question is will British Cycling tap into that much larger pot of cash by standing up for women’s right?

Because he wishes to fund women's cycling not for women, or because of any interest in women's sport, but because those women and their races make for a lovely setting for TW.

It says they was a "longstanding sponsor" and there haven't been any TW racing in the past few years. So this seems weird to me at first glance.

But on the other hand, they is a they/them so clearly committed to the "cause" and the more intelligent TRAs are certainly capable of playing a long game. Presumably the sponsorship got them some input into the "consultation" they was complaining about. Ugh. You might be right, but that's quite remarkably sinister and Machiavellian. I wonder how many other wealthy transactivists might be doing the same thing in other women's sports.

Apparently the race will go ahead due to a 'phenomenal response' to a plea for sponsorship.

I wonder if any of the potential sponsors saw that thread about the watch company on here. (I am one of the people considering buying a new watch.)

thebritishcontinental.co.uk/2022/04/12/2022-womens-cicle-classic-and-mens-junior-cicle-classic-in-peril/

There’s an update with today’s date saying:

The Women’s CiCLE Classic organisers have announced the race will run this year, thanks to what it describes as a “phenomenal response” following their plea for sponsorship.

How’s this for a phenomenal response?

fairplayforwomen.com/formal-bid-to-sponsor-womens-cycle-race/

Bravo those women's groups! Wonderful stuff.

The idea that female only cycling is worth it if male people are involved.... yeah gtf with that.

Just been in a meeting for four hours and slyly checking phone for updates. Really hope they accept sponsorship.
flexes flexible friend.

How good is that! It's back to the 70s and 80s when women had to build refuges and rape crisis centres as women's needs were completely ignored.A bit devastating to see so much misogyny rearing its ugly head again but this time women are in a far better position as so many of us have our own income.

twitter.com/BritishConti/status/1514227714957484032

From the article referenced on twitter...

Amazing. Imagine having all those women cyclists in 'Fair Play for Women' tops. That would be so cool!

I don't think this has gone anywhere near the way Pete Stanton expected it to!

As reported in the press this week, over 90% of female cyclists don't want to race against TW. Surely any sensible sponsors are only going to want to associated with events that the athletes actually want to race in, not under duress like the US swimmers?

Now being featured in the DM online - sorry cannot link. The comments are certainly not going Peter Stanton's way with the majority saying that they will boycott his company. Others saying that they would like to contribute to a fundraiser to make up for the £15k he has withdrawn.

@gailforce1

Now being featured in the DM online - sorry cannot link. The comments are certainly not going Peter Stanton's way with the majority saying that they will boycott his company. Others saying that they would like to contribute to a fundraiser to make up for the £15k he has withdrawn.

Can't find the story you mean, can you remember the title?

There is this from Sean Ingle in the Guardian.

www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/apr/13/campaign-groups-to-save-womens-cycling-classic-hit-by-trans-rights-row

@MogtheMerciless

I’d contribute. Sponsored by the vipers of Mumsnet FWR.

Hell yes!

Does this Mail link work?

Sponsor WITHDRAWS funding after trans riders decision
mol.im/a/10715233

I see Guardian misgendered Mr Stanton, they is a they/them

What company is it this odious little man heads up, just so we can boycott that too.

Up for giving a few quid too.

Has anyone looked into how the national Lottery dishes out its money to sport?

He seeems to be an individual who back in 2016 was a fervent advocate and supporter of the development of women’s racing,

cicleclassic.co.uk/womens-cicle-classic/

Unique in so many ways within the British cycling calendar, the event is sponsored by an individual, Peter Stanton, a long time supporter of Women’s racing within the UK.

www.stamfordmercury.co.uk/sport/cycling-women-s-cicle-classic-set-to-be-uk-s-toughest-race-1-7467554/