On Thursday 26th July 2012, the Tirol Cycle Team finally arrived to a euphoric welcome in London, after covering an epic 1300km across Europe. Beginning their journey on Thursday 19th, beneath the Olympic rings at Innsbruck’s Bergisel stadium, the Austrian team set off to raise money for British charity Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK).

To connect the Olympic cities of Innsbruck and London in a symbolic gesture, the Tirol Cycle Team was accompanied on the final leg to London by 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 was joined by cycling legends, including Rudi Altig in Germany and Eddie Merckx in Belgium.

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).

The journey from Innsbruck to London is an important link for Tirol in strengthening their position within the Olympic Movement. Innsbruck hosted the inaugural Youth Olympic Games earlier this year and with London hosting the Summer Olympics, they become the first two cities in the world, and in the same year, to host the Olympics for the third time. The Tirol Tourist Board will be present throughout the London Olympics at the official Austria House Tirol, Trinity House.

Donations can still be made at www.justgiving.com/tirol2london2012 and for more information on Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK) visit http://www.disabilitysnowsport.org.uk