Merrion Square Park, Dublin, Thursday 22nd March:
The 2012 An Post Cycle Series was officially launched today by Minister of State
for Tourism and Sport Mr Michael Ring TD alongside the 2012 ambassadors; cycling
legend Sean Kelly, Cork hurler Seán Óg Ó hAilpín and model Sarah McGovern.
All three ambassadors will be taking to their bikes for the An Post Cycle Series
this summer.

The five events in the Series take place across
the country between May and September. The Series is a joint initiative between
An Post and the Irish Sports Council, encouraging people to get back on their
bikes and out into their communities.

At today’s launch in Merrion Square Park,
Dublin, the Minister expressed his support for the cycling participation events:
“The An Post Cycle Series has been a great success and underlines the
potential of events to boost participation and bring visitors to beautiful parts
of Ireland.  The Series is a great example of a governing body working with
the Irish Sports Council and sponsors in providing exciting new participation
opportunities in sport”.

Seán Óg O’hAilpín, who kept fit last year by
cycling regularly and also took part in the Race the Rás charity cycle last
May, said he is looking forward to participating in the An Post Rebel Tour of
Cork in September.

“Last year I wasn’t involved in championship
training for the first time in years and I found cycling was a great way of
keeping my fitness. I was asked to take part in Race the Rás and really enjoyed
being in the saddle, so I was delighted to put my name down for the An Post
Rebel Tour this September.”

Over 13,500 people took part in last year’s
series, which provide a variety of routes from a family 10k spin to the more
challenging 50k, 60k, 100k and 160k distances, ensuring the events cater for
every type of cyclist, from families to serious amateurs.

New mum Sarah McGovern is taking part because the
events are a great way to keep fit and involve your children at the same time.
“My bike will definitely have a child seat at the back of it, and I’m
looking forward to the chance to get out and about in the fresh air, enjoy great
exercise and include Jude in the fun.”

The 2012 An Post Cycle Series gets underway on
Sunday May 6th with the An Post Tour of Sligo. This will be followed by the An
Post Tour De Burren in Clare on Saturday, 23rd June, while the An Post Meath
Heritage Cycle Tour will take place on Sunday, 29th July. The Sean Kelly Tour of
Waterford takes place on Sunday, 26th August and finally the An Post Rebel Tour
of Cork will be on Saturday, 15th September. Each county’s event is organised
by the Irish Sports Council’s Local Sports Partnerships in conjunction with
their city, county and cycling club partners.

Former world number one cyclist, Sean Kelly, who
will be taking part in the Clare and Waterford events, is thrilled to see so
many people keeping active by getting back on their bike year on year.

“The An Post Cycle Series has been a real
cycling success story in Ireland over the last few years. 5,500 people took part
in 2009, over 10,000 in 2010 and 13,500 last year, so it’s been amazing to see
so many people get back cycling. It’s a great way of keeping healthy and these
events provide all types of cyclists and families of a really enjoyable day out
during the summer months.”

Further details on each of the events in the
Series, and how to become involved, are available on www.anpost.ie/cycling

Sligo:
An Post Tour of Sligo, Sunday, 6th May

• Hazelwood Spin* (Saturday 5th May)      10km


• Lough Gill Circuit   
                                   60km


• Innisfree Tour                                        
  100km


• Ox Mountain Challenge   
                        160km

For more information: www.tourogfsligo.ie 
Tel: 071 916 1511

Clare:
The An Post Tour De Burren, Saturday, 23rd June

• Aillwee Cave Family Spin
                         
  10km


• Black Head Battle   
                                  
  66km


• Burnin’ Burren   
                                      
  108km


• Fr. Ted’s Day Out
                                  
   162km 

Meath: Heritage
Cycle Tour of Meath, Sunday, 29th July

• Family Spin                                            11km


• Tara Loop                                               50km


• Royal Tour                                            100km


• Royal Challenge                                    160km

For more information: www.meathsports.ie
Tel: 046 906 7337

Waterford:
Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford, Sunday, 26th August

• The Kelly Ten*    *(Saturday
  25th August)         10km


• The Kelly Cruise                                              
  50km 


• The Kelly Heritage
  Route                  
         
      
  100km


• The Kelly Comeragh Challenge                       
  160km

 For more
information: www.theseankellytour.com
or info@theseankellytour.com
Tel: 058 21104

Cork:
Rebel Tour, Saturday, 15th September

• Rebel Pedal                              
                        10km


• Rebel Cruise                                                    50km


• Rebel Rider                                                     100km


• Rebel Challenge                                              150km

For more information www.corksports.ie
or info@corksports.ie
Tel: 021 4665081

Pictures courtesy of Maxwells Photography 01-8308072