When a local cyclist asked for the same tyres and won a race the invention came to the attention of Harvey Du Cross, President of the Irish Cyclists Association. Dunlop and Du Cross went into business together [...] time Du Cross and Dunlop had further patents for fixing methods, valves and rims, their tyres were in production and they were building a reputation. Dunlop accepted a payment and shares in the company from [...] personally. After the company was floated with new investors in 1896, he had no further involvement in making tyres. Nevertheless, the name remained ‘The Dunlop Rubber Company’ and the brand still exists