Who said that it’s always raining in Ireland? As for the first edition held in Killarney, the sun shined bright last Sunday on Carrick-on-Suir, the Irish land of cycling and host city of L’Étape Ireland by Tour de France 2025.

Hometown of some of the most famous Irish riders, like Sean Kelly or Sam Bennett, and part of the Grand Départ in 1998 (Stage n°2, Enniscorthy – Cork), Carrick-on-Suir is deeply connected to the Tour de France. Therefore, the city and its inhabitants were expecting L’Étape Ireland for weeks. Walking down Main Street, visitors could admire all the decorations that had been put up on every shop’s window: French flags, black and yellow pennants, vintage cycling items, etc. A true Tour de France atmosphere before the event even starts!

The event kicked-off on Saturday afternoon with the Kids race, a 2km loop organized in Carrick-on-Suir city center that gathered kids from 5 to 12 years old. A first taste of Tour de France before the main event starts, and maybe the first official race of future Irish champions!

On Sunday morning, under a blue sky and with perfect cycling conditions, the 2nd edition of L’Etape Ireland by Tour de France was officially launched. From Carrick-on-Suir city center, around 1,400 participants took the start of one of the two event’s format: the long route (150km, +1,900m) or the short route (100km, +1,300m), both heading to some of the most beautiful Irish countryside landscapes.