Stars to lead pack in Clare closed-road cycle event

OVER 1,750 cyclists including sports stars and celebrities will descend on Clare this weekend for Ireland’s first closed-road mass participation event.

Cyclists from Ireland, Britain, US and Europe will gather for the Sky Ride Etape Hibernia, which will be held over an 130km course.

Cycling legend Sean Kelly, British Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis, Irish comedian PJ Gallagher and Sky News presenter Dermot Murnaghan are among those who will cycle the traffic-free roads.

The event, which could be worth €10m to the local economy, is being organised by IMG, in partnership with Sky, Fáilte Ireland, Shannon Development, the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau and Clare County Council.