Waterford Gears Up for the Sean Kelly Tour

The second Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford and what is sure to be one of the most colourful and spectacular events in Waterford’s sporting calendar in 2008 is almost upon us, on Sunday 24th August. Over 1400 participants had signed up for this great event. Of those entered almost every county in Ireland is represented in particular Waterford, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Dublin, Wexford, Kerry, Clare, Kilkenny and Galway. This year has also seen a huge increase in overseas entry particularly from our near neighbours in the UK but also from a number of European countries as well as the US and Canada. This huge increase in the popularity of the tour is due to the hard work and dedication of the Sean Kelly Tour Committee which consists of representatives of Waterford County Council, Waterford Sports Partnership, County Waterford Community Forum, eight local cycling clubs and of course the one and only Sean Kelly.

Sponsorship
Following on from the success of last year’s tour the committee have gone on to forge strong links with its commercial partners who have all very generously once again stepped up to the mark to support this initiative. All of the companies are either locally based or have very strong Waterford links and include Treasury Holdings, Failte Ireland, Flahavans, GlaxoSmithKline, Tipperary Natural Mineral Water and new sponsors Halfords who have recently opened a new store near the Butlerstown roundabout. The tour committee would like to recognise the support of its sponsors and emphasise how important this support is to an event of this nature.

Blazing Saddles and the NCBI
Sean Kelly has been a great supporter of the NCBI through their Blazing Saddles tours, which have taken cyclists all over the globe in support of the National Council for the blind. On August 24th 1400 cyclists will be following in Sean’s ‘tyre tracks’ and raising awareness and money for this great cause. Each participant should have received a sponsorhip card with their entry pack at this stage and we know we can rely on local people’s generosity in support of this very worthy cause. Can we top last year’s amount raised which came to a grand total of €18,145!

Volunteers and the Communities involved
One of the most heartening aspects of this event has been to see that the age of volunteerism is not a thing of the past, as some people would suggest. The organisers of the tour have seen volunteers from all across the county step up to the mark from all walks of life including staff from the council and Waterford Sports Partnership, members of cycling clubs and particularly members of local community groups and individuals from all corners of the county from Dungarvan, Lemybrien, Kilrossanty, Rathgormack, Ballymacarbry, Cappoquin, Lismore and all areas in between as well as help from our near neighbours in East Cork and South Tipp. Considering we will need upwards of 150 volunteers on the day, we are still looking for people who are willing to sacrifice just some of their time on either Saturday 23rd or Sunday 24th August. Why not mention it to your club, team, community organisation, friends or family and let’s all get behind ‘The Sean Kelly’. Anyone wishing to volunteer can contact Rosarie Kealy on (058)21190.

Traffic and the Route
Waterford County Council would like to draw all road users attention to the fact that the Sean Kelly Tour is a leisure cycle which will be taking place over the entire day of Sunday 24th August. Roads will remain open at all times and all cyclists must obey the rules of the road however we would ask all road users and particularly motorists to be extra vigilant of cyclists on the day. The cavalcade will also consist of support vehicles and spectators both young and old, so please practise caution as we want this tour to be an enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Gardai, Civil Defence, South East mountain Rescue Association and event marshals will be present key points on the routes to help both cyclists and other road users navigate their way safely around the county on the day.

The main routes and times include:

100km Route
Dungarvan-Lemybrien (N25), 8-10 a.m.; Lemybrien-Carrick-on-Suir (R676), 8-11 a.m.; Carrick-on-Suir-Clonmel (R680), 9a.m.-12p.m.; Clonmel-Ballymacarbry (R671), 10a.m.-1p.m.; Ballymacarbry-Master McGrath (R672), 11 a.m.-6p.m.

50km Route
Dungarvan-Lismore (N72 via Cappoquin)-Dungarvan-10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

160km Route
Ballymacarbry-Dungarvan-via Powers the Pot (R671, R678),12p.m.-3p.m.; Ballyhest Cr. Rd (Dá Rua’s)-Mahon Bridge (R676), 1p.m.-4p.m.; Mahon Bridge-Bery’s Cross via Mahon Falls, Máma Road, Kilbrien, 2p.m.-6p.m.

Parking
Limited parking will be available at Dungarvan Sports Centre and Scanlons Yard to those taking part but orgainsers would appeal to all local participants and to those staying in accommodation locally to please leave the car behind-decrease your carbon footprint!

Registration and Start Times
All participants must sign on either between 6:30-8:00 a.m. (100 and 160k only) and 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (50k only)on Sunday morning 24th August or to make things run even more smoothly, entry will be open from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday evening 23rd August. We would encourage as many as possible to sign in on Saturday to avoid any delays on Sunday morning as large crowds are anticipated. All participants will have registered online or by post before 8th August. At sign on riders will receive their unique event number and goody bag. Any cyclists under the age of 18 must bring the parental consent form with them to registration (if you have mislaid it we will have spares).

The official start time with Sean Kelly, event sponsors and other dignitaries present will take place at 8.30 a.m. sharp for the 100 and 160k and 10:30 a.m. in the case of the 50k.

Best of Luck
All that is left for the organisers to say is to wish all intending participants the best of luck. Remember it is not a race. Enjoy the scenery, the fresh-air, the food stops, the post-event refreshments, the sports massage, the entertainment, the mobile coffee shop, the souvenir T-Shirt and everything that goes with being part of the Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford.