AN East Lancashire firm has announced a deal that will see one of the world’s leading cyclists helping to develop its products.

Science in Sport, based at Brockhall Village, Ribble Valley, has announced it is fuelling current Tour de France champion Alberto Contador with its range of energy, hydration and recovery products.

SiS will provide Contador with the products – with Contador assisting SiS in the research, development and testing of new products.

It follows a series of high profile successes for the company, which counts many Premier League footballers, as well as gold medalists including cyclist Sir Chris Hoy and adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, among clients.

It was also the official partners of the Sport Relief challenges that saw Eddie Izzard complete 43 marathons in 51 days and celebrities including comedian David Walliams and DJ Fearne Cotton cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

Pete Slater, of Science in Sport, said: “We’ve had a relationship with Alberto since 2008 and his record speaks for itself. He is a phenomenal athlete who is already a legend within cycling.

“We’ll continue to work closely with Alberto during our product development as part of our ongoing commitment to providing the most effective range of sports nutrition products on the market.”

The family-owned and run business has won plaudits from across the world of sport and its products were first used by 1992 Olympic gold medal winner cyclist Chris Boardman.

Contador is often referred to as the best climbing specialist and stage racer in the world.

He is only the fifth racer in history, and the first Spaniard, to win all three Grand Tours of road cycling (Giro d’Italia 2008, Vuelta a Espana 2008 and Tour de France 2009).

He said: “I’m delighted to be working with Science in Sport as they have an unrivalled reputation of working within elite cycling."