CHAMPION CYCLIST Seán Kelly is looking for over 1,500 people to join him for a cycling tour of Co Waterford. The Seán Kelly Tour of Waterford will consist of three different routes for those of "different abilities and endurance levels", taking place on August 24th. Now in its second year, the event last year saw 918 registered cyclists take part.
The 50km "Kelly cruise" will take riders to beauty spots like Glenshelane Woods and the river Blackwater. The cruise is cited as being "ideal for those with little experience of cycling", while the minimum age of entry is 10 years.
But those wishing to test their mettle can up the pace on the 100km "Kelly legacy", which starts in Dungarvan and travels through Leamybrien; Carrick-on-Suir, Clonmel and Ballymacarbry, while the 160km Kelly "Comeragh challenge" includes four major climbs.
Welcoming this year's event, Kelly said yesterday: "It was heartening to see vast amounts of people out training for the tour last summer in particular with obesity levels on the up. It is great to see people participating in exercise."
The former Tour de France rider, who held the top spot in professional cycling world rankings for six years, grew up in Curraghduff in Co Waterford.
Established in 2007, the tour is a partnership between Waterford County Council, Waterford Sports Partnership, eight local cycling clubs, Waterford Community Forum and Kelly.
The tour is "part of a wider objective which aims to make Co Waterford an extremely cycle-friendly place to visit at any time of year," a spokeswoman said. It aims to "give civic recognition to Sean Kelly and his achievements".
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