Stars lead the pack on tough charity cycle

MORE than 1,800 cyclists including sports stars and celebrities took part in Ireland’s first closed-road mass participation cycle event yesterday in Co Clare.

The inaugural Sky Ride Etape Hibernia attracted cyclists from all over Ireland and Britain, as well as from throughout Europe and the USA. Participants cycled 130km of traffic-free roads in some of the west’s most scenic locations, including the Atlantic coastline and the Burren region.

Thousands of spectators turned out from early morning in excellent weather conditions to cheer on the participants, who included cycling legend Sean Kelly, British Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis and Sky News presenter Dermot Murnaghan.