In 2008 Sky entered into a long-term partnership with British Cycling – the UK’s governing body for the sport. Starting in London and spreading across the UK, every year Sky close off entire city centres from traffic and hand them to their residents to enjoy on their bikes at their own pace. Since 2009 over 850,000 people have enjoyed these fun days out.

In 2009 Sky founded their professional cycling team, Team Sky, with riders over the years including Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome, Mark Cavendish, Geraint Thomas and Ian Stannard, managed by Sir Dave Brailsford. Its mission statement: “Race to Inspire”.

Team Sky won the Tour de France with a British Rider in 2012 and 2013 and cycling went from obscurity in the UK to front-page news, becoming one of the nation’s favourite sports.

The 1 million cyclist target was smashed in 2012 and by 2014 over 1.6 million had taken up cycling, with more people in the UK cycling than playing football – truly changing people’s lives.

In 2014 Team Sky entered 54 races, with an astonishing 65 podium finishes and 25 victories. In the same year 157,731 people took part in Sky Ride events around the UK.