Having cycled across Europe, arriving on British soil was not without a last-minute panic as the ferry from Ostend to Ramsgate suffered some technical difficulties. Back in the saddle, it quickly became apparent that being behind schedule had instilled a competitive streak within the peloton. After setting off at a faster speed than they had cycled all week, it was the English ladies, who were setting the pace of the day.
By connecting the Olympic cities of Innsbruck and London, it was a symbolic gesture that the Tirol cycle team was accompanied on the final leg to London by some well-known British sport personalities, including Graham Bell, Konrad Bartelski as well as cycling enthusiasts from the Ski Club of Great Britain, Crystal Ski, Snow magazine and Planetski. Along the way in Europe, the Tirol cycle team were joined by cycling legends, including Rudi Altig in Germany and Eddie Merckx in Belgium.
Arriving for the opening of the Austria House Tirol was the highlight of the journey for the team of 20 cyclists, who had spent the last 8 days on the road. Josef Margreiter, CEO Tirol Tourist Board, explains, “Throughout the journey we received a genuine and hospitable reception with people coming out to congratulate us on our way. We received the loudest cheers from the Brits, who gave us a real sporting welcome and probably still enjoying the glory win after the Tour de France. It was the perfect way to strengthen the sporting connection between the two Olympic cities and for such a good cause as DSUK”. The last stretch over London’s iconic landmark, Tower Bridge, was even more memorable as they had to wait for the drawbridge to be raised.
The 20 strong Tirol cycle team was made up of tourism representatives, sports personalities, business leaders and politicians, including Stephan Eberharter (former Austrian ski racer, Olympic Gold Medal winner and three times World Champion), David Kreiner (Olympic Gold Medal winner in the 2010 Vancouver Games) and Leonhard Stock (former skier and Olympic Gold Medal winner).
Donations can still be made at
www.justgiving.com/tirol2london2012
and for more information on Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK) visit www.disabilitysnowsport.org.uk
By connecting the Olympic cities of Innsbruck and London, it was a symbolic gesture that the Tirol cycle team was accompanied on the final leg to London by some well-known British sport personalities, including Graham Bell, Konrad Bartelski as well as cycling enthusiasts from the Ski Club of Great Britain, Crystal Ski, Snow magazine and Planetski. Along the way in Europe, the Tirol cycle team were joined by cycling legends, including Rudi Altig in Germany and Eddie Merckx in Belgium.
Arriving for the opening of the Austria House Tirol was the highlight of the journey for the team of 20 cyclists, who had spent the last 8 days on the road. Josef Margreiter, CEO Tirol Tourist Board, explains, “Throughout the journey we received a genuine and hospitable reception with people coming out to congratulate us on our way. We received the loudest cheers from the Brits, who gave us a real sporting welcome and probably still enjoying the glory win after the Tour de France. It was the perfect way to strengthen the sporting connection between the two Olympic cities and for such a good cause as DSUK”. The last stretch over London’s iconic landmark, Tower Bridge, was even more memorable as they had to wait for the drawbridge to be raised.
The 20 strong Tirol cycle team was made up of tourism representatives, sports personalities, business leaders and politicians, including Stephan Eberharter (former Austrian ski racer, Olympic Gold Medal winner and three times World Champion), David Kreiner (Olympic Gold Medal winner in the 2010 Vancouver Games) and Leonhard Stock (former skier and Olympic Gold Medal winner).
Donations can still be made at
www.justgiving.com/tirol2london2012
and for more information on Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK) visit www.disabilitysnowsport.org.uk
For further information and images contact:
Becky Horton, Horton PR
becky.horton@hortonpr.co.uk
020 8330 2143
07766 738020
Holger Gassler
Head of Marketing & PR
Tirol Werbung – Tirol Tourist Board, Austria
Tel: +43(0)664.80532.641
holger.gassler@tirolwerbung.at
Becky Horton, Horton PR
becky.horton@hortonpr.co.uk
020 8330 2143
07766 738020
Holger Gassler
Head of Marketing & PR
Tirol Werbung – Tirol Tourist Board, Austria
Tel: +43(0)664.80532.641
holger.gassler@tirolwerbung.at
The official opening of the Austria House Tirol with Werner Faymann (chancellor of Austria), Hannes Gschwentner (vice president of Tirol), Dr. Karl Stoss (president of the Austrian Olympic Committee), Josef Margreiter (CEO of Tirol Tourist Board) joined by the English Beefeater
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Maria-Theresien-Str. 55
A-6020 Innsbruck
Tel.: +43.512.5320-320
Fax: +43.512.5320-92320
presse@tirol.at
