Photo: Denise Lewis who won Olympic gold for Britain

Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis and leading Irish comedian PJ Gallagher are just two of the star names that have been confirmed as participants in the Sky Ride Etape Hibernia, Ireland’s first closed road mass participation cycling event which takes place in Clare on August 22nd.

The announcement comes less than a fortnight after professional Italian riders and Team Sky members Dario Cioni and Davide Vigano were confirmed as participants in the event which is expected to attract an estimated 2000 cyclists in the first year.

The occasion is being marketed nationally and internationally and will attract everyone from novice cyclists up for a challenge to keen club riders eager to cycle on traffic free roads.

The 82-mile cycle will begin and end in Ennis, after travelling through Ruan, Corofin, Kilnaboy, Ballyvaughan, Fanore, Lahinch, Spanish Point, Connolly and Kilmaley.

West Bromwich native Denise Lewis, whose participation in the event is being sponsored by Adidas, won a gold medal for Britain in the heptathlon at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Speaking about her involvement in Etape Hibernia, Ms. Richards said: “I am looking forward to travelling to County Clare and taking part in what will be an enjoyable and challenging event. I am especially excited about cycling on closed roads around some of Ireland’s most famous landmarks such as the Burren and Cliffs of Moher”.

PJ Gallagher, one of Ireland’s best-loved comedians following the huge success of his hit TV show Naked Camera, is a graduate of the Gaiety School of Acting and a Vicar Street regular who recently appeared at the Cat Laughs festival in Kilkenny.

Currently on a nationwide comedy tour of venues across Ireland, he said, “I can’t wait to take part in the Sky Ride Etape Hibernia. I participated in a training ride on the route in June and it is a superb, featuring some of the best scenery Ireland has to offer.

“This a first for me and I am pretty excited about taking on the challenge. It is an achievable distance for everyone, all it takes is a little bit of preparation, hopefully I will do enough to get a good time!”.

The event is being organised by IMG, in partnership with Sky, Fáilte Ireland, Shannon Development, the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau and Clare County Council.

Jo Dytch of IMG said: “We are delighted to have so many high profile names taking part in the first Etape Hibernia. The event appeals to cyclists of all abilities as the distance is very achievable with a little training.

“For the keener riders, the opportunity to cycle on closed roads holds an irresistible allure. The chance to be on the start line with some of the world’s greatest athletes is one not to be missed. We are expecting a great turn out in Clare on the event weekend”.

Meanwhile, Etape Hibernia will raise much needed funds for Sky Rainforest Rescue, a Sky and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) project to help save one billion trees in the Amazon rain forest.

According to Monica Dolan of the WWF, ”While you are cycling along the beautiful Clare coast, you will also have the opportunity to raise money to help save one billion trees in the Amazon rainforest. By signing up to raise money for Sky Rainforest Rescue you will be helping to protect an area of rainforest roughly the size of Belgium, protecting its wildlife as well as supporting the people who live there. It’s not too late, so sign up now!”, Ms. Dolan added.