The Tour de Conamara takes place this Sunday May 27 and it has been announced that five-time Tour de France winner Bernard Hinault will be participating.
The event, the first mass cycling event to take place in the Connemara region, is part of a new international cycling sportive, the Celtic Series, taking in Celtic regions. Other events will take place in Ayrshire, Scotland, Pembrokeshire in Wales, and Brittany in France.
TG4 cycling commentator and former international cyclist, Padraic Quinn, is the organiser of the Celtic Series and the Tour de Conamara. He said that the event was already attracting attention from the international cycling community.
“The idea is to provide cyclists of all abilities with a different cycling sportive experience for 2012 and the first of its kind in Galway against the spectacular backdrop of Connemara. The Tour de Conamara will be one of four events in four Celtic nations and the organisers were looking for a route that reflected unique cycling routes in the host country,” Mr Quinn said.
“The routes in the 140km and 80km events, which are chosen to accommodate and test all levels of cyclists, will avoid busy roads and operate on a rolling road closure so riders can enjoy the scenery in a more secure setting. On Saturday May 26, a family cycle will take place in Clifden providing everyone with an opportunity to hop on their bike over the weekend.”
Mr Quinn said the event will be a tourism boost for the Connemara region as a whole. He added that it has already proved to be a tourist draw.
“The Tour de Conamara event has already attracted registrations from France, UK and the USA, providing a significant economic boost for Clifden and the wider Connemara region,” he said.
“Working with the events from the other Celtic regions made us realise how attractive Ireland has become as a cycling destination. The Bretons are planning to travel here in big numbers and the most famous cycling Breton of all, Bernard Hinault, will attract a large French following due to his iconic status in the area. The Mayor of the region, a very high political office in France, is also travelling to the west of Ireland to take part in the cycle.”
Mr Hinault, nicknamed Le Blaireau (The Badger ), is one of only five cyclists to have won all three tours, and the only cyclist to ever win each event more than once. He had a string of successes in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The event, which is supported by Failte Ireland and Udaras na Gaeltachta, will involve 140km and 80km route options. Sponsorship for the event is being provided by Aer Arann, Galway Water, Red Bull, Power Bar, Velotec, and Foinse. To find out more or register visit www.celticseries.ie
