L'Etape Ireland Tour de France event to start in Tipperary town famous for cycling

Pictured above: Representatives of Tipperary County Council, Waterford City & County Council, Explore Carrick-on-Suir and local cycling clubs at the launch of the L'Etape Ireland Tour de France cycling event at O'K Cycles in Carrick-on-Suir, Ireland's oldest bike shop. 

The two routes in a major Tour de France cycling event in Ireland this autumn will start from Carrick-on-Suir, the hometown of two of the race’s great heroes Sean Kelly and Sam Bennett.

The Tour de France is bringing its iconic L’Etape event to Ireland this September giving up to 3,000 cyclists the chance to sample the unique thrills and challenge of a Tour de France stage in Ireland.

Designed and vetted by the team behind the Tour de France, the two routes, starting in the home of Irish cycling, Carrick on Suir, will take in some of the country’s most breathtaking scenery and epic climbs in Waterford and Tipperary.

L’Etape Ireland takes place on Sunday, September 28 and is open to cyclists of all abilities.

Details of the event were announced at O’K Cycles in Carrick-on-Suir, Ireland's oldest bike shop, on Tuesday.

The launch was attended by representatives of local cycling clubs including Panduit Carrick Wheelers CC, Slievenamon CC and the Cycologist Racing team. 

Representatives from Tipperary County Council and Waterford City & County Council, which are supporting the event were present as were members of Carrick-on-Suir Business Association, Carrick-on-Suir Development Association and Carrick-on-Suir Tourism & Economic Development Committee.

Riders in the L’Etape event will be able to choose from two routes with different elevation and distance profiles: a 100km route or a more challenging 150km route.

Inspired by the Tour De France, both routes will have two timed mountain stages taking in iconic climbs, to compete for the titles of king and queen of the mountains and the coveted Polka Dot Jersey. There will also be a sprint section where participants can battle it out for a Tour De France Green Jersey.

Beyond the race, participants can look forward to exhibitors, shows, a pop-up Tour de France Museum, athletes meet and greets and more. Both routes will be on closed or partially closed roads and the event and its participants will be monitored by safety officials throughout.

Race director, Oliver Kirwan of Elite Events Management based in Killorglin, county Kerry said bringing L'Etape to Carrick-on-Suir is incredibly exciting for the organisers and anyone interested in experiencing the thrills of the Tour de France.

“Carrick-on-Suir is steeped in cycling history and has some of the best cycling anywhere in the world, with the roads of Tipperary and Waterford being up there with the best on offer. We hope to announce the exact routes over the coming weeks.

“L’Etape is special in that you don’t need years of training to participate and live your dream of taking on a Tour de France stage. If you enjoy cycling, a bit of a challenge, and some spectacular views, then L’Etape Ireland is a perfect goal to work towards this summer.”

More information on the L’Etape event is available on the L’Etape Ireland website.

Caption for photo above: Pictured at the L’Etape Ireland Tour de France cycling event launch at O’K Cycles in Carrick-on-Suir on Tuesday 11th February are from left: Oliver Kirwan, Elite Event Management and Shane O’Keeffe, O’K Cycles, with representatives from local cycling clubs Slievenamon CC, Comeragh CC, Carrick Panduit and the Cycologist Race Team including Patrick Loughlin, John Dowley, Eoin Maher, Hugh Mulhearne, John Kerr, John Bourke, Michael O’Dwyer and Keith Barry. Picture Anne Marie Magorrian