Cyclists dressed in vintage cycling gear from the 1970s and 1980s will lead out the event, the first of its kind in Ireland. The starting and finishing in Clifden offers 140km and 80km routes.
The Tour de Conamara, the only Irish event in the international Celtic Cycling Series, is already in high demand with registrations for the event already up three times on this time last year. Cyclists who sign up for the Skoda Tour de Conamara before 30 April will receive a free newly designed cycling training jacket, and have a chance to win a signed BMC pro team jersey.
Monaghan & Sons, Skoda's Galway dealership, will also host a pre-tour event to take place ahead of the cycle with further information to be announced closer to the event.
The event has already attracted considerable international interest with registrations already in from cyclists in the UK, France and the USA, according to event organiser Padraic Quinn. He added that one cyclist journalist described the route as the finest and most picturesque he has ridden in the world. The organisers will highlight the Wild Atlantic Way this year as it represents a significant sports tourism opportunity for the country.
The event is sponsored by Skoda, Newstalk, PowerBar, AliMaySports.ie, Velotec, Galway Water, TG4 and W2 Consulting. Event information and registration is available on www.tourdeconamara.com. Also see www.Skoda.ie or www.facebook.com/SkodaIreland
Pictured above at the launch of the 2014 Skoda Tour de Conamara were Leo Monaghan, dealer principal of Monaghan & Sons, Galway; Joe Monaghan, Raymond Leddy, Head of Marketing & Product, Skoda Ireland, and Mark O'Connell, representing event partners W2.
