Entries open today for the second edition of L'Etape Ireland, with a new venue and routes revealed for 2025.
Taking place on Sunday 28 September, this year's L'Etape Ireland will start and finish in Carrick-on-Suir, Co, Tipperary. Two routes are on offer, 150km and 100km, offering a taste of the Tour de France - with an Irish twist - for up to 3000 cyclists from Ireland and abroad.
"Designed and vetted by the team behind the Tour de France, 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, where cyclists can experience the Tour De France on their own terms," say organisers Elite Events Management.
The event was announced on 13 February at O'K cycles in Carrick on Suir, Ireland's oldest bike shop, with representative from Waterford City & County Council and Tipperary County Council.
Inspired by the Tour De France, both routes will have two timed Mountain stages taking in iconic climbs, to compete for the title of King and Queen on the mountain and a 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, athlete meet and greets and more on the day.
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 from Kerry-based Elite Events, commented: "To bring L'Etape to Carrick on Suir is incredibly exciting for us 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."
> Ride report: L'Etape du Tour lands in Ireland >
Cathaoirleach of the Comeragh District, Cllr. Seanie Power welcomed the tour to Waterford saying, "I am delighted to welcome L'Etape de Tour de France Ireland to the Déise. Participants of this prestigious event are in for a real treat when they visit Waterford. The route is as scenic as it is challenging and will steer the riders through breathtaking countryside, rugged mountain climbs and the picture postcard villages of Waterford.
"Waterford has a long and proud association with cycling. It's home to cycling great, Sean Kelly, it hosted a stage of the Tour de France in 1998 and the first cycling club in Ireland was established in Dungarvan in 1869."
The event is part of the Etape series by Tour de France, an international sportive franchise sanctioned by Tour de France organisers ASO. 2024 saw the first Etape Ireland take place in Kerry.
Entries open today. Tickets are priced €110 for the 150km distance and €95 for the 100km route.
An earlybird discount is available for riders who enter by Friday 21 February. Use the code LAUNCH25 at checkout.
Find out more and enter at ireland.letapebytourdefrance.com.
0 Comments