17/02/2010

The Grand Prix of Spain 2010 was presented in the City of Arts and Sciences and will inaugurate this year’s calendar for the Global Champions Tour. The new poster for the event was displayed and Banco Sabadell was confirmed as the main sponsor of the GP for the next three years.

The General Director of Project Coordination for the Generalitat Valenciana, Cristina Morató, and the City Councilor of Sports of Valencia, Cristóbal Grau, together with the Director of BS Sports & Entertainment of Banco Sabadell, Ferrán Martínez, presented the second edition of the Grand Prix of Spain, to be held in the City of Arts and Sciences the 7-9 of May.

The international rider and Sport Advisor of the competition, Cayetano Martínez de Irujo, and CEO of Oxer Sport, Álvaro Arrieta were also on hand for the event. Mr. Arrieta welcomed the press and introduced the presentation, which included a video of the best highlights of the last year’s edition. “The 2009 event was a great success and it has put the standard at a high level,” he stated. He thanked everyone who made possible last year’s edition and added, “The event will grow in 2010.” He pointed out that the size of the arenas will be larger and the audience capacity in the grandstands will be doubled.

Ferrán Martínez commented that because of the wonderful experience of last year, when the bank was a co-sponsor, they have decided to commit completely to the competition and become a main sponsor and they “are very pleased to have given their name to the event.” The former Spanish basketball player declared that through new divisions, like the one he directs, dedicated to asset management for top athletes, Banco Sabadell is hoping to associate its brand with the noble values of sports competition.

Cayetano Martínez de Irujo explained that this year’s program will be the same as last, with trials for professionals and amateurs and noted that Valencia received the event with great affection and understanding of equestrian sports.

Cristóbal Grau commented that during the first edition Valencia achieved two very important goals: present a high level sports event and, at the same time, bring equestrian sports closer to the public through the Equestrian Garden. He added that it is important to continue the effort from within the institutions and organization to ensure its success.

Cristina Morató closed the event thanking Banco Sabadell, the institutions and the press, and pointed out that this is one of many important events to be held in the Community of Valencia. As proof of its impact, she indicated the ample press coverage received from the 2009 edition became “an important promotional campaign that could have never been paid for by the institutions” if the community had not been part of the event.