Cyclists take part in mass closed-road event
Over 1,800 cyclists took part in Ireland’s first ever closed-road mass participation cycling event in Co Clare today.
The inaugural Sky Ride Etape Hibernia attracted cyclists from all over Ireland and the UK, as well as from throughout Europe and USA. Participants cycled 82 miles of traffic-free roads in some of the west of Ireland’s most scenic locations.
Thousands of spectators turned out in excellent weather conditions to cheer on the participants who included cycling legend Sean Kelly, British Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis and Sky News presenter Dermot Murnaghan.
The event was organised by IMG, in partnership with Sky, Fáilte Ireland, Shannon Development, the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau and Clare County Council.
Mayor of Clare Cllr Christy Curtin congratulated the event organisers for delivering what he described “an event that will provide a significant boost to the local economy at a time when the hospitality and tourism sector is struggling to overcome a decline in visitors to the region.”
“I am delighted to learn that this event will take place in Co Clare each year up to 2014 and continue to deliver significant economic benefits to the region," Cllr Curtin said.
Participants of Sky Ride Etape Hibernia have helped to raise awareness for Sky’s charity partnership with WWF, Sky Rainforest Rescue, a project to save one billion trees in the Amazon rainforest.
