Can A Trading Platform Shake Up The Sport of Pro Cycling?

IG Markets, one of the UK’s biggest providers of gold CFD's (Contract for Difference), has agreed to sponsor the Tour of Britain and, as part of the deal, will change the leader jersey from yellow to gold.

“We are delighted to be associated with The Tour of Britain and proud to say that as the UK’s No.1 CFD Provider we will be sponsoring the IG Markets Gold Jersey,” Tim Howkins, Chief Executive of IG Group, told Velo Nation. “The Tour of Britain presents an excellent platform for IG Markets as it is broadcast in many of our key territories worldwide, so the iconic new IG Markets Gold Jersey will be seen worldwide by millions of spectators."

IG Markets offers trading on a broad range of commodities, including major metals and energies markets like gold, silver, gas and oil.

IG's ambitions in cycling don't end with the Tour of Britain. IG is aiming to launch a worldwide pro cycling ranking system. The company recently announced the IG Markets Pro Cycling Index, which it says will soon will available at www.igmarkets.com/procyclingindex.

“We are really excited about this new offering and believe it will give cycling fans a new way to understand who is the best cyclist in the world," Olly Stevens, Head of Marketing, IG Markets commented. "At IG Markets we pride ourselves in understanding how markets and indices work so it is a natural extension of our exciting sponsorship of Team Sky. We hope everyone likes it and look forward to people’s views."

The IG Markets Index works by ranking races on their prestige and importance to cycling fans, with wins being rewarded much more highly than placings. There will also be bonuses for "winning with panache" and repeat victories. Once live, the index will be updated regularly during the Grands Tours, major stage races and one-day races.