Former world champion and five-time Tour de France winner, Bernard Hinault will be in the west of Ireland next summer after coming on board with a new Irish-run sportive series with events in Britain, France and Ireland.
Irish fans will get the chance to ride with the French legend during the Celtic Series 2012, when he takes in the one-day Irish leg starting in Clifden, Co Galway, in May.
Former Irish international turned TG4 cycling commentator, Pádraic Quinn is the man behind the new Celtic Series and told stickybottle he was delighted to get Hinault involved in the Irish event.
“We met this year when I was in Brittany making a documentary with TG4 based on the Bretagne Schuller Pro Cycling Team and the Tro Bro Leon. He immediately expressed an interest in coming to Conamara for cycling and fishing. The region is very well known in France so he was eager to come over here.”
Quinn has just launched the new Celtic Series, which includes events in Ireland, Wales, Scotland and France. He is hopeful the sportives will be as much about shared culture in those regions as the cycling at the centre of the four events.
Advertisement
“The idea is to provide cyclists with a different cycling sportive experience for 2012, one that takes in events across a number of countries. The other aim of the event is to highlight how much we have in common with our Celtic neighbours, not only the language and music, but also a passion for cycling.”
Related News
The Celtic Series 2012 starts with the Tro Bro Leon which is known as ‘the Paris Roubaix of the west’ because of the sections of gravel farm tracks it takes in.
Those riding will have the opportunity to watch the professionals ride the same course the following day in the UCI 1.1 race.
The event in Brittany will be followed in mid May by the Tour of Pembrokeshire in Wales and the Celtic Series Tour de Conamara on May 27th.
The Irish event will be held in Clifden with the option of a 140km and an 80km route. There is also a 14km family cycle and free kids cycling tuition on Saturday 26th.
The final event for 2012 will be the Graham Obree Ayrshire Sportive in July, where the former hour record holder will be in attendance.
Quinn said he was hopeful the Celtic regions chosen for the series will give it a unique character.
“Working with the events from the other Celtic regions also made us realise how attractive Ireland is as a cycling destination. The Bretons are planning to travel here in big numbers and the most famous cycling Breton, Hinault will lead the charge.”
