The Times today hailed Manx cycling as ’one of sport’s most remarkable production lines’ highlighting the Island’s eight professional cyclists and future stars in a major two-page feature in the sports section of the newspaper. Sports journalist Rick Broadbent and photographer Brad Ormesher travelled to the Isle of Man last week on a two-day trip organised by the Isle of Man Department of Economic Development. The journalists interviewed cycling coach Peter Kennaugh, father of professional cyclists Tim and Pete, Isle of Man Cycling Head of Performance Gary Hinds, ex British criterium champion Rob Holden and Isle of Man Newspapers Sports editor John Watterson. They also met Mike O’Hare, the organiser of Cycle Week and toured the Manx Museum’s Sports exhibition, which features a number of pieces of cycling memorabilia including Mark Cavendish’s Green Jersey from this year’s Tour de France. The pair also visited the winter training session run by Dot Tilbury in Braaid Church Hall. The journalist and photographer also followed a number of the Island’s leading professionals including Jonny Bellis, Chris Whorral and Mark Christian as they cycled from Douglas to the South of the Island. Geoff Corkish, MBE, MHK, Political Member for the Department of Economic Development with responsibility for Tourism, commented: ‘Cycling has long been an important part of the vibrant sporting life on the Isle of Man. We will continue to promote participation sports on the Island as part of our tourism strategy and will be working with a number of event organisers, clubs and associations over the coming months to generate more visitors to the Island in 2012. The Isle of Man has some great sports events and we will be looking to capitalise on these.’ He continued: ‘The incredible achievements of the Isle of Man’s cyclists are further profiling us on the sporting map. There has been massive growth in cycling related events in recent years and we need to make the most of the Isle of Man’s heritage and current cycling stars.’ ENDS