Wattbike Joins Rapha as Presenting Sponsor of Lincoln Grand Prix 2023

The Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix is one of the most prestigious and historic road cycling races in the UK. It has been running since 1956 and attracts some of the best riders from across the country and beyond. The race is famous for its challenging course that includes the iconic cobbled climb of Michaelgate, which has a maximum gradient of 20% and is often decisive for the outcome of the race.

The 2023 edition of the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix will take place on May 14th and will mark its 68th year of existence. The event will consist of two races: a men’s race that covers 13 laps (166 km) and a women’s race that covers nine laps (112 km) of the same circuit that starts and finishes in Lincoln’s Castle Square.

The organisers of the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix are delighted to announce that Wattbike, the Nottingham-based indoor smart bike company, has stepped in to support the event as Presenting Sponsor, representing a huge boost to what is already the longest established National Series event in the UK.

Wattbike was founded in 2000 with a mission to create “the ultimate indoor bike”. The first Wattbike was developed alongside British Cycling ahead of their record medal haul at the 2008 Olympics. Since then, Wattbike has become a common fixture in gyms and homes across the globe, allowing athletes to achieve their goals through smart, structured training, fitness testing and technique tracking.

Wattbike will support elite and amateur riders as they train towards the main event by providing them with access to their innovative products and services. Wattbike will also have a presence at the race village on race day, where they will showcase their latest models and offer interactive experiences for spectators and participants alike.

Richard Baker, CEO of Wattbike said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix as Presenting Sponsor for 2023. We have always admired this event for its heritage, passion and community spirit. We share these values at Wattbike and we are excited to be part of this British cobbled classic.”

Rapha, who stepped in to save the event in 2020 after it faced cancellation due to financial difficulties caused by Covid-19 pandemic, have increased their sponsorship investment in 2023 to reflect the reality of rising costs associated with delivering races of this scale.

Rapha is a cycling lifestyle brand that was founded in London in 2004 with a vision to create “the world’s finest cycling apparel”. Rapha offers high-quality clothing, accessories and experiences for cyclists of all levels and backgrounds. Rapha also supports grassroots racing through its sponsorship of events such as Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix.

James Fairbank, Head Of Marketing at Rapha said: “We are proud to continue our support for Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix as Title Sponsor for third year running. This event embodies everything we love about cycling: history, culture, challenge and camaraderie. We look forward to working with Wattbike as Presenting Sponsor to make this edition even more special.”

Gary Coltman OBE MBE , Lincoln GP Organiser said: “We are absolutely delighted that Wattbike have partnered with us alongside our title sponsor Rapha . Their involvement represents another significant step forward for our event which continues to grow year on year. We are very grateful for their support
and we can’t wait to welcome them on board.”