Organisers of the Tour of Ireland professional cycle race, held in association with Fáilte Ireland, have announced a new three day format for 2009. The race, from Friday, August 21 to Sunday, August 23, will provide some spectacular racing with seven times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong bringing his Astana team to Ireland for the first time. Six times Tour de France stage winner Mark Cavendish (Columbia – HTC ) also returns to Ireland where he scored three consecutive stage wins last year.
“We have had great support from the event sponsors, teams and local authorities to keep the race on the road in what is a very tough economic climate,” said event organiser Alan Rushton: “As a result our event is leaner and fitter and the race will show a large international television audience that Ireland has a great deal to offer visitors. We have over 550km of racing through spectacular countryside and victory will be a hard fought affair”.
The race travels over beautiful countryside and takes in the handsome climb of Mount Leinster en route to Waterford where the race will finish on the Quays.”
