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The 2011 Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford, part of the An Post Cycle Series in association with the Irish Sports Council took place last weekend and another chapter in the history of this great event was written! In the week leading up to this the fifth anniversary edition, we all knew that something extra special was going to unfold with an unprecedented 4300 having already pre-entered for the Sunday cycling extravaganza and the fantastic news that we were going to be joined on the day by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny.
On Sunday morning the sun was shining and thousands of bikes glistened outside Dungarvan Sports Centre the atmosphere was amazing as the Taoiseach sporting the 2011 Tour jersey officially started the three events and then set off on his bike on the 50k route in the company of two Irish sporting legends, Sean Kelly and John Treacy. What a fabulous spectacle, a very, very proud day for Waterford
The breakdown across the three events which took place on Sunday was, 1500 in the 160k Kelly Comeragh Challenge, 1100 in the 50k Kelly Cruise and an amazing 1700 in the 90k Kelly Coast! This number was added to by a fantastic turnout of over 1000 cyclists that took part in Saturday's 10k Kelly Ten. Cyclists from 7 to 70 took part in what was a really enjoyable leisure ride in glorious sunshine along Dungarvan's old Railway Line.
Cyclists came from every county in Ireland, from the UK, Europe and even the US. They came in cars, vans and camper vans, filled every hotel, B & B and hostel and were powered by 13,000 sandwiches, 17,000 cups of tea and coffee, 6500 bananas, 12,000 Flahavans Flapjacks, 6000 litres of Tipperary Natural Mineral Water and 3000 litres of Lucozade Sport and much more!
The quality of the Sean Kelly Tour can not only be judged by sheer numbers as so many other ingredients go into making it the great event that it has become. First among these extra special ingredients is the unique 'Waterford Welcome' afforded by all of our volunteers right across the county to all of the cyclists. All those involved from people manning the registration desks in Dungarvan Sports Centre, to the crew setting up the barriers, to the parking personnel, to our stewards, to the post event massage therapists and not forgetting the tour's legendary food stops at Hillview Sports Club, Rathgormack Hiking Centre, Tramore Race Course and Cappoquin Community Centre, as well as the water stops at St. Molleran's GAA Club, Ballymacarbry Community Centre, Kilrossanty Parish Hall, Kilbrien Parish Hall, Bonmahon, Stradbally GAA Club and Villierstown Community Hall all play their part in putting on a great show for the participating cyclists.
The two other ingredients which go into making this a unique event are the great man himself, Sean Kelly and of course the breathtaking Waterford landscape. Sean is highly involved with the nuts and bolts on the organisational side of the tour and a dedicated member of the tour committee is also one of the first to arrive on the scene and one of the last to leave, chatting and having 'the craic' all the way along. In short he plays the part of 'the host' with some aplomb! Our own fair county from Dungarvan Bay to the mighty Comeragh Mountains to the dramatic vistas of the Copper Coast and all of the towns, villages and communities dotted in between make this tour one of the country's biggest and best!
Of course there are many, many people to thank and that will be done over the coming days, weeks and months. Waterford County Council, Waterford Sports Partnership, County Waterford Community Forum and all of the cycling clubs involved recognise that primarily this event would never take place without the goodwill, enthusiasm, dedication and hard work of over 500 volunteers. These volunteers include interested individuals, cycling clubs, sporting organisations, community groups and staff of the various agencies involved that all work tirelessly to put this wonderful event on the road. Our sponsors have been so supportive all along and to one and all we are very grateful and they include An Post, Failte Ireland, Flahavans, Tipperary Natural Mineral Water, GlaxoSmithKline and Dungarvan Shopping Centre. Thanks also to MMG Cappagh and Dungarvan Nissan.
A special mention must also go to all those who supported the event's chosen charity, Down Syndrome Ireland by either directly raising money or by giving of their time to help out over the weekend. Keep an eye out for updates over the coming weeks as to how much was collected for this extremely worthy cause on the tour website www.theseankellytour.com.
People are already talking about 2012 and what we can do to make the Sean Kelly Tour even better! But for now let's just enjoy the moment and reflect on what was a wonderful day in County Waterford's sporting, social and cultural calendar. Check out Sean Kelly Tour on Facebook for lots of images from this year's great event!
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