A GILWERN automotive firm has been announced as sponsor of this month’s National Road Race Championships.

Northern Automotive Systems, an automotive decorative specialist, will have their logo on vehicles, event literature and banners at the cycling event, set to attract more than 50,000 spectators.

The 106-year-old Chinese company which has 462 staff members said the deal will help to forge ‘robust and respectful’ trading ties between the authority and the Welsh and Chinese governments.

Geoff Hancock, vice president, said: “The National Road Race Championships is among the highlights of the British sporting calendar, and it is fair to say that Northern Automotive Systems jumped at the chance to become its title sponsor.

“Our company has been at the forefront of local employment for over 20 years, and lending our support to this incredible event was our way of giving back to our employees and to the county’s business community.”

The four-day event, from June 26 to 29 will see stars such as Sir Bradley Wiggins, Mark Cavendish and double Olympic gold medallist Geraint Thomas racing locally.

Chinese dignitaries, including Northern Automotive System’s President and CEO, Cimei Zhou and Zhicong Ma, managing director, have made arrangements to visit.

Paul Matthews, chief executive of Monmouthshire County Council, said hosting the event for the second time in five years was a real coup.

He said: “Monmouthshire is known as the cycling capital of Wales and I’m confident that this will be an unforgettable experience for the riders, the spectators, the organisers and the sponsors.”

The British Cycling National Time Trial Championship takes place on June 26 and the National Road Race Championships will be on June 29.

The Abergavenny Festival of Cycling runs from June 23 to 29 with races such as the Deri Dash Hill Climb and Traders and Carnival Race.

The deadline to enter the Champion Sportive has been extended until June 20.

Details at: abergavennyfestivalofcycling.co.uk