ŠKODA continues sponsorship of ŠKODA Cycle Series 2015 in association with Independent News & Media

ŠKODA has today announced the renewal of the “ŠKODA Cycle Series” in association with Independent News & Media, a series of eight cycling events which will appeal to all grades of cyclist. The series will kick off in April 2015 and run until August offering two course distances ranging from 50-80km to suit the novice or family cyclists, and 100-160km challenges for more seasoned cyclists.

This is the second year of the Series which had a very successful opening year with over 3,500 cyclists taking part in 2014 with each event getting more popular as the Series progressed. The 2015 ŠKODA Cycle Series has now added two new locations to this year’s overall programme of events in Cavan and Longford.

Starting in Sligo on April 12^th and finishing in Dundalk on August 30^th the Series will also include events in Longford, Wicklow, Cavan, Wexford, Westport and Cork (see full list of events below).

With its long standing heritage in cycling, ŠKODA recognised the opportunity to launch specialised events to cater for the leisure cyclist in Ireland which compared to continental Europe, are few and far between. Cycling is one of the fastest growing leisure activities in Ireland with a growing number of men and women donning the infamous skin tight apparel and taking to the roads of Ireland on carbon fibre and aluminium road bikes for health, fitness and leisure purposes more so than competition and racing.

Commenting, Ciara Walsh, Marketing Communications Manager, ŠKODA Ireland said “We are happy to announce that we are hosting this series of events again this year. The ŠKODA Cycle Series was a great success last year, and with the growing popularity of cycling across the country, we hope that this year it will be even better. The routes are across some of the most breath-taking scenery Ireland has to offer. ŠKODA has a strong relationship with cycling both internationally – as an official partner of the Tour de France for over a decade – and here in Ireland as a sponsor of the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle and the Tour de Conamara to name a few. We look forward to cyclists from all around the country joining us for what promises to be an excellent experience.”

Commenting, John Feerick, Managing Director INM Regionals-West said “INM Regionals is delighted to continue this partnership with ŠKODA for this year’s cycle series which we have added to and improved for the year ahead and our aim is to become the largest cycle series event in Ireland.  We are very aware that there has been a huge increase in interest in cycling in Ireland so we hope that the popularity of the series will also continue to grow. INM Regionals is best placed to promote ‘Pedal Power’ with this countrywide initiative given the strategic locations of our regional titles and details of each local event will be publicised in the regional titles.”

For further information about the series or to find your closest event visit www.fitmagazine.ie or visit the dedicated series Facebook page www.facebook.com/skodacycleseries.

List of events:

• Sligo – 12^th April Sligo ŠKODA Sportive (50km & 100km)
• Longford – 18^th April – Longford Sportif (60km & 120km)
• Wicklow – 25^th April – Tour of Wicklow (68km & 116km)
• ŠKODA Cavan Cycle Challenge – 14^th June (50km, 80km & 160km)
• Wexford – 21^st June – Dragon Sportive (75km & 135km)
• Westport – 18^th July – Westportif (80km & 160km)
• Cork – 25^th July – IRD Duhallow Sportive (50km & 100km)
• Dundalk – 30^th August – Cuchulainn Challenge (80km & 130km)

ENDS

Issued by Murray Consultants for and on behalf of ŠKODA

For further information about ŠKODA, please contact:

Avril Collins or Diarmaid Walsh

Tel: +353 1 498 03 00

Email: acollins.@murrayconsultants.ie / dwlash@murrayconsultants.ie

Facebook: www.facebook.com/skodacycleseries

About ŠKODA Ireland
Headquartered in Dublin, ŠKODA Ireland supports 229 employees across its network of 26 retailers in Ireland. ŠKODA has steadily increased its share of the market achieving a 6.53% share in December 2014.

ŠKODA AUTO
› is one of the longest-established vehicle production companies in the world. Since 1895, the Czech headquarters in Mladá Boleslav has seen the production firstly of bicycles and then, shortly afterwards motorbikes and cars.

› currently has seven passenger car models: Citigo, Fabia, Roomster Rapid, Octavia, Yeti and Superb.

› delivered around 920,800 vehicles to customers worldwide in 2013.

› has belonged to Volkswagen since 1991. The VW Group is one of the most successful automotive groups in the world. ŠKODA, in association with the Group, independently manufactures and develops vehicles, as well as components, engines and gear transmissions.

› operates at three locations in the Czech Republic, produces in China, Russia, Slovakia and India mainly through Group partnerships, as well as in Ukraine and Kazakhstan through local partners.

› employs over 26,400 people globally and is active in more than 100 countries.