British Cycling has announced a sponsorship deal with oil company Shell.
The partnership, which runs from this month until the end of 2030, will bring “wide-ranging support and investment”.
This include initiatives to make cycling more accessible for disabled people and target a ‘net-zero’ status.
“We’re looking forward to working alongside Shell UK to widen access to the sport,” said British Cycling chief executive Brian Facer.
“We want to support our elite riders and help our organisation and sport take important steps towards net-zero – things we know our members are incredibly passionate about.”
The partnership, which brings an end to the eight-year deal with banking giant HSBC, has been criticised by environmental campaigners.
“Cycling is the epitome of environmentally friendly travel. It’s deeply disappointing that UK Cycling could think it’s appropriate to partner with a fossil fuel giant,” Friends of the Earth campaigner Jamie Peters said.
“Shell is continuing to invest billions in oil and gas projects, while using cynical PR initiatives like this partnership to attempt to greenwash its harmful activities.”
Greenpeace UK policy director Dr Doug Parr added: “The idea of Shell helping British Cycling reach net zero is as absurd as beef farmers advising lettuce farmers on how to go vegan.
“After being booted out of museums and other cultural institutions, Big Oil are looking at sports as the next frontier for their brazen greenwash. But their aim hasn’t changed – to distract from the inconvenient fact that the fossil fuel industry is making our planet uninhabitable.”
