Olympic Gold Medallist To Host Thomson Sport Unique Cycling Experience

LONDON, ENGLAND, June 03, 2011 (Press-News.org) Cycling enthusiasts are being given the opportunity of a lifetime as Thomson Sport joins forces with gold medallist, Geraint Thomas, for a three-day trip in Belgium.

Following Geraint's impressive win at the Bayern Rundfahrt over the Bank Holiday Weekend and less than a month after The Tour de France, where the 25-year-old hopes to make a big impression, Geraint will be hitting the cobbled lanes of Belgium giving cyclists the opportunity to learn from a professional or simply wheel alongside him as they tackle the routes made famous in the Tour of Flanders.

Generally considered one of the world's hardest single day races, the Tour of Flanders (known locally as Ronde van Vlaanderen) is one of the five cycling 'monuments' and has a rich history spanning almost a century.

Riders on the three-day tour will experience the atmosphere and history of the Flanders region and follow in the tyre tracks of many cycling icons whilst taking in famous places such as the Koppenberg, Oude Kwaremont and of course the legendary Muur-Kapelmuur. A professional photographer will be on hand to document the cyclists' experience. Following the first day's riding, cycling legend Freddy Maertens will give cyclists a personally guided tour through the Centrum Ronde van Vlaanderen (CRVV) - the home of Flandrian cycling. After the second day riding Geraint will offer an exclusive Q and A session.

Geraint Thomas, who won gold in Beijing in 2008 in the team pursuit, said: "Thomson Sport will play a vital role in operating this unique cycling experience and I'm delighted to be working with such a key player within the sports travel industry. I'm sure their unparalleled knowledge and experience across the sport and travel sector will deliver an authentic and memorable cycling experience for riders of all abilities."

Based at a luxury 4* hotel in Kortrijk, Belgium, for the tour on 17th - 20th August 2011, the steam bath, sauna, Jacuzzi and solarium will help to ease any muscle tension at the end of the day's cycling.

Clare Last, Operations Manager of Thomson Sport, said: "We are very proud to be working with Olympic Gold Medallist Geraint Thomas and are excited at the opportunity to help make cycling tours in Europe more accessible to UK riders. Thomson Sport will be working in Belgium alongside Allen Bridge of Polocini Cyclosportives who has a wealth of experience in managing UK based cycling events and is an expert on the Tour of Flanders. We will use our experience in many different sports to provide Geraint and his fans with an exceptional service and we look forward to working with him on future exciting cycling events"

"De Ronde with Geraint Thomas" will have rides of between 70-95km per day and starts from GBP869 per person. The price includes return luxury coach travel from Manchester, Birmingham or London, 3 nights' accommodation on a half board basis, a full CNP Professional sports nutrition package during each ride, a professional cycling coach to offer advice and support throughout, a tour of the CRVV, post ride meals, secure bicycle storage, two 12x8 photo prints in a commemorative folder and a unique "De Ronde with Geraint Thomas" goody bag.

For more information call Thomson Sport on 0845 121 2018 or visit http://www.thomsonsport.com

TUI Travel's Sport Division is part of the Specialist & Activity Sector of TUI Travel PLC. The Sport Division, which includes Thomson Sport, is a unique collection of some of the most established sports travel & event brands in the world. The division specializes in delivering exceptional services and logistics to major worldwide sporting events for fans, teams, clubs and sponsors. Appointments include official Travel Agent for Rugby World Cup 2011, British & Irish Lions Tours, Ashes Series, ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC World Twenty20, ICC Official Tour Provider, Rugby World Cup Sevens, Hong Kong Sevens, Participating Tour Operator for the 2010 FIFA World Cup , Official Overseas Travel Provider for englandfans, The FA's official supporters club and Travel Provider for UEFA Under 21 Championships 2009, Wimbledon Championship and The British Grand Prix. Companies in the portfolio include http://www.gulliverstravel.co.uk, http://www.thomsonsport.com, http://www.sportsworld.co.uk, http://www.eventsinternational.co.uk, http://www.sportabroad.co.uk, http://www.thefanatics.com, http://www.williment.co.nz and http://www.astsports.com.au.