Cycling legend Hinault to attend Tour de Connemara

Date Published: 24-May-2012

 A LARGE number of international cyclists will descend on the West of Ireland this week to take part in the Celtic Series Tour de Connemara sportive in Clifden. The event will coincide with the Clifden 200 launch celebrations and has already attracted a large number of registrations from France, UK and USA.

Five times tour Tour de France winner Bernard Hinault will be guest of honour at the Tour de Conamara and it represents his first Irish cycling event. The sportive takes places on Sunday and features 140km and 80km routes, while a family cycle and tuition event will take place on Saturday, May 26.

The recent French leg of the Celtic Series hosted in Brittany has generated huge levels of interest in the Connemara event with French TV and press attending ,while some of the UK leadings cycling writers are also confirmed. The event will represent a major economic boost for the Clifden and Connemara area with most hotels in the area already booked up.

Former international cyclist and TG4 cycling commentator Pádraic Quinn, organizer of the Celtic Series and Tour de Conamara, revealed the level of interest from the Bretons was considerable. He explained ‘a number of Irish cyclists took part in the Breton leg of the Celtic Series and the reaction to the Tour de Conamara since then has been remarkable.

“We even have the current third ranked French professional cyclist trying to come over to Clifden just to cycle and enjoy the day out. The presence of Bernard Hinault is also a major attraction for the French, a bit like how we hold Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche in such high regard.

“As a result of the invitations extended to the Bretons and the opportunity to cycle in the area with Hinault, there has big surge in registrations from France. It also seems half of the East of Ireland cycling community is travelling to Connemara for the event. It will represent a big economic boost for the area and will generate a lot of international profile for the region as a cycling destination,” added Quinn.

The Celtic Series Tour de Conamara starts and finishes in Clifden on Sunday, May 27. Registration is online at www.celticseries.ie.