A Focus on Cycling in Washington DC " Event # 1 "

WASHINGTON — The public and area bike enthusiasts are invited to join employees of the U.S. Postal Service and members of the USPS Pro Cycling team on June 1 for a special rally and team flag presentation ceremony. This official sendoff will help support the team's East Coast races before they head to Europe for defense of the Tour de France, which begins July 7.NBC-TV (channel 4) news anchor Joe Krebs will host the noon pep rally which will take place in front of Postal Service Headquarters at 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW.

Members of the USPS Pro Cycling team will start the rally by leading a contingent of cyclists to the site of the ceremony.For the past six years, the U.S. Postal Service has sponsored the USPS Pro Cycling team, which includes two-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong."Our cycling team sponsorship has proven its value to the Postal Service," said Gail Sonnenberg, senior vice president, Sales, for the Postal Service. "By being associated with our championship cycling team and one of the world's greatest athletes, Lance Armstrong, the Postal Service brand is recognized around the world. We believe in the values of hard work, the striving for excellence, and the championship spirit these athletes demonstrate."A 10-foot-by-10 foot replica of the team jersey will be unveiled to the public for the first time during the rally.

The next stops for the Postal Service's "Giant Jersey" will be at the five East Coast races: June 2 in Washington, D.C., June 3 in Arlington, Va., June 5 in Lancaster, Pa., June 7 in Trenton, N.J., June 10 in Philadelphia, Pa., and at the Tour de France in Dunquerque, France on July 7.As an added attraction at the Washington, D.C. rally, 14 five-foot-by-seven-foot jerseys signed with best wishes from postal employees from across the country, will flank the Giant Jersey, which will be staged in front of the plaza.The flag presentation ceremony will be the first of 85 similar events held at cities around the country beginning June 26. In addition to the Pro Cycling team, the Postal Service has recently become the title sponsor for the USA Cycling Espoir Team, a group of riders under 23 years of age who aspire to become professional riders. For more information on the USPS Pro Cycling Team, visit www.uspsprocycling.com