Tour Of Sligo Launch 2010

The launch of the An Post Tour of Sligo 2010 took place on Wednesday last at the Glasshouse Hotel with a large crowd in attendance from the cycling and voluntary community. The event is scheduled for Sunday 9th May and it is hoped that participation numbers will surpass the highly impressive entry of 723 cyclists last year.

The event has received a huge boost this year with confirmation that cycling legend Sean Kelly will be cycling on the day. Already, the participation of Sean Kelly in the event has generated great interest locally, nationally and from oversees with everybody looking forward to having the chance to meet and cycle alongside such a great cycling legend.

The event is part of An Post Cycle Series 2010 which comprises of five recreational cycling events across the country between May and September with other venues including Clare, Meath, Waterford and Cork. The series is supported by An Post in a joint venture with the Irish Sports Council while locally the event is being co-ordinated by Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership.

John Treacy, Chief Executive of the Irish Sports Council was in Sligo to formally launch the An Post Tour of Sligo 2010. In particular he complemented Sligo on the great sense of partnership, community spirit and organisational support generated for the event. He also spoke of the very positive feedback he had received on the 2009 event in Sligo and he encouraged people of all ages to have a go and be part of the event in 2010.

Lord Mayor Cllr. Jimmy Mc Garry extended a warm welcome to the large attendance at the launch and wished the event every success. Speaking on behalf of An Post was Regional Manager West, Aidan O Donnell who spoke of the commitment of An Post to the promotion of community cycling and he stated that the An Post Cycle Series 2009 was hugely successful in increasing participation in cycling and he wished the Sligo event every success for 2010.On behalf of the local cycling clubs both Tony Mooney and John Greene addressed the launch and encouraged participation in the upcoming event while also expressing the delight of the cycling community in having the commitment of Sean Kelly to cycle on the day. They gave details of the three routes which will include the 10k Hazelwood Spin for All, 60k Lough Gill Circuit and the 160k Ox Mountain Challenge. The potential of the An Post Tour of Sligo 2010 from a tourism perspective and the opportunity to market the county as a cycling destination was acknowledged by Bernie Butler, Acting Chairperson Failte Ireland North West.

In drawing the launch to a close Deirdre Lavin, Sports Co-ordiantor SSRP thanked both An Post and the Irish Sports Council for their commitment to the event. In addition, she acknowledged the immense support and goodwill the event is receiving from all sectors of the community particularly Eire Og and Innisfree Wheelers Cycling Clubs who have a wealth of knowledge and technical expertise in hosting such events. Adding to this Deirdre noted the strong commitment for the An Post Tour of Sligo has been offered by Sligo County Council, County Sligo VEC, Sligo Borough Council and Failte Ireland. She noted that safety is of utmost importance in hosting the event and in addressing this she acknowledged the support of An Garda Siochana, Sligo Leitrim Civil Defence, the Red Cross and Sligo Leitrim Mountain Rescue. Community support for food/ water stops and marshalling is emerging from many sectors including Super Valu, Connacht Gold. County Sligo GAA Board and associated clubs, Coolaney Development Company, Sligo Rugby Club, Eamon Burkes Skreen and St. Michaels GAA Club, Ballintogher and Easkey Family Resource Centre.

Similar to last year St. Johns Hospital Garden Room Committee has been identified as the nominated charity for the event and all participants are encouraged to raise sponsorship for this worthy cause. St. John’s Hospital play a major role in overseeing the food stops, and in 2009 the quality of refreshments on offer was widely remarked upon by the cyclists.

At the national launch of the An Post Cycle Series 2010 Sean Kelly had words of encouragement for all who may be thinking of getting active “I can’t stress enough how important is to keep active and healthy and there is no better way in doing so than going for a cycle. Last year’s events inspired thousands of people to get back in the saddle and this year we want even more people to come and enjoy the events.”

The key message emerging from the launch is to encourage as many people as possible of all ages and cycling ability levels to ‘Get on Your Bike and join with cycling legend Sean Kelly at An Post Tour of Sligo 2010’.

Further details on the An Post Tour of Sligo, and how to enter or become involved as a volunteer, is available on www.sligosportandrecreation.ie or by contacting the SSRP office at 071 9161511