| Event Date: 9 October 2011 | Event Website:
Team Sky's Geraint Thomas was on hand to help promote the Etape Cymru, an exciting new addition to the Sportive calendar, last week. He joined local cyclists, fans and journalists for the occasion.
Geraint Thomas enjoys the North Wales scenery during the launch of the Etape Cymru
The latest big push for the 100-mile Etape Cymru took place amid swarming crowds attending the Welsh National Eisteddfod Festival in Wrexham. Thomas joined with the event organiser Mike Turner in chatting to sponsors, local dignitaries and media, before heading off into the nearby hills with sponsors and local cyclists to pose for photos and sample a small part of the route of an event which is set to be the UK's second closed road Sportive.
The choice of venue for the day was a canny one from a PR perspective with Thomas, fresh from his exploits in the Tour de France, attracting a huge amount of interest from the Eisteddfod Festival visitors. Despite a busy schedule, Thomas took time to sign numerous autographs and jerseys and chat with eager fans, many of them children.
Thomas then rode part of the Etape Cymru course, which will feature closed roads. The event takes place on Sunday 9th October 2011.
"The 100 miles with 6000 feet of climbing offers cyclists a challenging but fabulous opportunity to enjoy our spectacular Welsh scenery in the safety of a closed road environment." said Thomas, before adding "Good luck to all the entrants, cycle hard, keep smiling and enjoy your day and the North Wales hospitality!"
VIDEO INTERVIEW - ORGANISER MIKE TURNER SHARES HIS VISION FOR THE EVENT
About the event
The Etape Cymru, powered by Tweeks Cycles, will be the UK's second closed road cyclosportive event. The 100-mile challenge takes place on Sunday 9th October 2011 and will take in famous local roads and climbs, including The Garth, The Horseshoe Pass, The Shelf and Worlds End.
Participants have until 16 September 2011 to enter the event and be part of the traffic-free ride. The Etape Cymru is working in partnership with British Cycling with all entrants receiving a goodie bag (including an event gilet) and free British Cycling Ride membership (worth £24). Event entry for this unique closed road event is £65, while existing British Cycling Members benefit from a discounted entry fee of just £53.
The Etape Cymru is put together with the support of Wrexham Council, Denbighshire Council, Welsh Assembly Government and North Wales Tourism, riding traffic-free will be a unique experience for entrants.
With some 1500 riders already entered, the event still has room for many more entrants - for more details of the event and entry on-line, please visit www.etape-cymru.co.uk
More From Geraint Thomas
Read our interview with Geraint Thomas who we spoke to a the event.
