Record numbers have registered to compete in this year’s Skoda Tour de Conamara cycling festival which takes place next weekend (May 24 ).
Event organiser Padraic Quinn says entries have increased by 40 per cent this year with cyclists from 14 countries having registered.
“We are delighted with the level of interest to date, particularly from overseas cyclists. The event received a lot of media exposure last year in the French and UK cycling media and we can see the impact of that coverage this year. Based on the registration trends to date, we can see a situation where the event is very likely to sell out."
Research conducted by sports tourism specialists W2 consulting predicts the festival could be worth up to €500,000 to the Connemara area, based on bed nights and direct expenditure which takes place around the event, highlighting the importance of such sports tourism events to regional economies.
Skoda's Galway dealership, Monaghan & Sons, will host a pre tour event on Friday at its dealership on the Tuam Road with more details to be announced closer to the event. With limited spaces available in the cycle, Monaghan & Sons has passes to give away for the event. For more information on how to avail of these passes call into the dealership on the Tuam Road, Galway.
