First Ever L’Étape Ireland is a Winner in Killarney

L’Étape Ireland 2024 started and finished in Killarney town centre with a choice of two routes developed in conjunction with Tour de France: an 135km and a 98km route, both designed to showcase the best of the Kerry countryside and mountain passes.

The overall winner of L’Étape Ireland 2024 men’s race was John Dowley who finished in 3 hours 36 minutes 02 seconds, and the winner of the women’s race was Sara McGeough who finished in 4 hours 9 minutes 36 seconds time. They were each presented with an iconic Tour de France coveted yellow jersey, a place at  L’Étape du Tour de France 2025 and a limited edition Tour de France branded Tissot watch. 

Mirroring the official Tour de France race, the Ireland event included a King & Queen of the Mountain competition and a Sprint competition. These events measured the fastest cyclists over a Molls Gap and Ballaghabeama mountain pass routes, and the fastest over a 700m section of the route at Caragh Lake for the Sprint race. Winners of the K/QOM were: Milo Donaldson & Ronnie Barry, who got to wear the iconic red polka dot jersey. Winners of the Sprint section were: Mark McGlynn & Catherine Kiely and got to wear the iconic green jersey.

Not to be outdone by the adults, kids also got involved in L’Étape Ireland with their own cycle on Saturday morning. A 2km loop of the town, this fun free cycle was open to children between 5 and 12.

Cycling L’Étape Ireland this year were former pro-cyclists Dan Martin and Imogen Cotter. Dan represented Ireland at the Olympic Games and won stages of the Tour de France, and Imogen Cotter is a former professional cyclist who raced at elite level. Greg O’Shea a former Irish rugby international and TV’s Love Island winner also completed the cycle.

Supporters, family members and locals were able to join participants at the finish line to enjoy the L’Étape Ireland event village on Cathedral Green. Refreshments, music, stalls and cycling memorabilia were open to everyone and free to enter.

Results

135km Mens Race	135km Women’s Race
John Dowley 03:36:02 Shane Fleming 03:42:13 Rod Fleming 03:42:14	Sara Mc Geough 04:09:36 Hilary  Hughes 04:11:13 Amy Young 04:17:49
98km Men’s Race	98km Women’s Race
Barry Kelly 03:00:08 Thomas Chaix 03:09:27 Simon Allen 03:16:33	Regina Sheehan 03:33:29 Lisa Hegarty 03:34:51 Siobhan Ardener 03:43:26
King of the Mountains	Queen of the Mountains
Milo Donaldson 00:30:05 John Dowley 00:31:54 Luke Keaney 00:32:24	Ronnie Barry 00:38:19 Hilary Hughes 00:38:23 Catherine Kiely 00:39:27
Men’s Sprint Race	Women’s Sprint Race
Mark Mc Glynn 00:00:51 Mark Dunleavy 00:00:55 Anthony Cronin 00:00:56	Catherine Kiely 00:00:56 Ronnie Barry 00:01:03 Zoe Greene 00:01:06