M1 Pro Cycling project gains H&R Block as title sponsor

The M1 Pro Cycling project has signed H&R Block as a title sponsor for the 2015 season. M1 Sports Management CEO Mark Ernsting announced in May his plans to develop a Canadian continental team. He and his M1 Pro Cycling advisory board, which includes members of Cycling Canada, also have plans to develop a pro continental or WorldTour squad in as early as 2018. M1 Pro Cycling would maintain both the continental team and its higher-level squad.

“H&R Block Canada is providing us the opportunity to take the first step into professional cycling with a UCI continental licence for 2015,” said Ernsting. “We are very excited to have them be part of this project. They have supported the sport for more than seven years at the amateur level. Now it is fantastic that they have committed to join the M1 Pro Cycling project that will implement the first phase of the project to establish a men’s UCI continental team in 2015.”

“The M1 Pro Cycling project is an opportunity to expand our role and support the team as they work to realize their dreams and gain valuable experience competing across North America,” said Todd McCallum, vice-president of H&R Block Canada.

Robin Clegg, the three-time Olympic biathlete who joined the project in June to develop sponsorships, feels H&R Block’s involvement shows the strength of the pro cycling endeavour. “We are working to develop the systems to produce world-class athletes that can compete at the international level,” Clegg said. “We need the support of companies to help the team reach its full potential. But, more important, we are working with each sponsor’s marketing team to complement its existing marketing strategies so that it will receive a return on the investment. Having H&R Block Canada come on board shows that the team’s platform can provide the results a major international company is looking for.”