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Giant's Causeway Launched by Irish Olympian

by Henry Peacock

Martyn Irvine, who is set to become Ireland’s first ever Olympic track cyclist this summer, recently joined up with event organisers, Outdoor Recreation NI, to announce the date for this year’s Giant’s Causeway Coast Sportive, Chain Reaction Cycles are the sponsor of this event.

Martyn Irvine joins Beverley Pierson (Event Organiser) and local cyclist John Madden

Saturday 15th September has been chosen as the date for the event with up to 1000 amateur cyclists expected to take on one of the 3 routes on offer. The Northern Coast of Northern Ireland can provide some spectacular scenery. This is an extremely popular event, the 7-time Irish national track and road cycling champion believes that sportives such as this can be the perfect introduction into cycling.

Irvine commented, “I only bought my first road bike in 2005 and now I am preparing to represent Ireland at the London Olympics. Before this, I worked as a mechanic in a small town outside Belfast and would never have discovered cycling if it hadn’t have been for my colleagues urging me to enter events such as these.”
“I am a huge advocate of cycling sportives in general so it is even more exciting to have such a talked about event growing from strength to strength here in Northern Ireland,” added Irvine.

The event, which is also being supported by 2 of UK’s best selling cycling magazines, Cycling Weekly and Cycling Active, offers participants a choice of 3 routes (182km, 126km, 57km) each taking in the spectacular Giant’s Causeway Coast and the stunning Glens of Antrim.

Online entry is now open and more information including detailed route descriptions, maps, online booking and indeed advice from cycle training experts Forme Coaching is available on the event website www.giantscausewaycoastsportive.com

Event organisers have teamed up with Marie Curie Cancer Care and Action Medical Research to encourage participants to fundraise for these extremely worthwhile causes which will certainly act as a great motivator.

A video of the 2011 Giant's Causeway Sportive:

Giants Causeway Coast Sportive - 17/09/2011 - Co Antrim, Northern Ireland

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1 Comment

15th June 2012 5:30pm esroh wrote:

Martin has done a grat job in qualifying for London but I would think he would be embarassed by your refering to him as Irelands first Track Cyclist when his former teammate David O'Loughlin was in Bejing.

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