The SD Eibar Foundation sponsored the 46th Memorial Valenciaga
The cycling race took place on 2 April
SD Eibar this year played a prominent role in the 46th Memorial Valenciaga, with the club, through its Foundation, sponsoring the race, with the collaboration of the City Council.
The race, organised by the Club Ciclista Eibarrés, was staged on 2 April. The Plaza de Unzaga marked the starting point - where the traditional cutting of the tape took place - and the finishing line, with the first rider home awarded an Eibar shirt. SD Eibar was present throughout the whole day, thanks to the club's badge being displayed on posters, railings, magazines and banners at the finish line.
The ceremony held to present the sponsorship agreement was attended by the club's president, Amaia Gorostiza; board member and vice-president of the Foundation,Jon Ander Ulazia; the mayor of Eibar,Miguel de los Toyos; and the president of the Club Ciclista Eibarrés, Ángel López Mendi.
In the words of Gorostiza, "We're really excited and it's our duty to pay the community back for what it has given
SD Eibar throughout all these years. We believe that we represent a possible tool to promote different sports within the community".
As Miguel de los Toyos noted, "Being involved in the Memorial Valenciaga is a good thing for the city, it's significant for the City Council and the collaboration of SD Eibar through its Foundation gives the race added prestige".
Meanwhile, López Mendi remarked, "The sponsorship from SD Eibar, through its Foundation, provides a major boost for the race and it's very important. We're two historic clubs within Eibar, who through our fine work have achieved good results".
The Memorial Valenciaga is considered as the most prestigious amateur cycling race in the country, with points counting for the Spanish Cycling Cup. Comprising a 163km-long course, which features landmarks including the challenging climbs of Elgeta, Ixua and San Miguel, the 2016 Memorial Valenciaga was won by Bicicletas Rodríguez-Extremadura rider, José Manuel Díaz Gallego.
The sponsorship of the Memorial Valenciaga takes its place alongside other initiatives being led by the Foundation, such as the grants issued last week to the various sporting clubs within Eibar, with a view to promoting the city's multi-faceted sporting scene, as well as prestigious events which are helping to raise awareness of the Eibar Brand.
In terms of its relationship with the world of cycling, SD Eibar were represented in the final stage (the Arrate climb) at the 2015 Tour of the Basque Country, where first-team player, Jon Errasti, was on hand to mark the club's 75th anniversary by presenting an Eibar shirt to the winner of the stage, Joaquim Rodríguez Purito.