Published: April 2010
Hundreds of cyclists sped along Jersey's beautiful green lanes and road network in the exhilarating Tour de Bretagne cycling race, held on the island last weekend. After a gruelling 150k, Holland's Jetse Bol, riding for the Rabobank team, was victorious in the first stage event, and team mate Martijn Keizer took first place in the 10k second stage.
The race was split over two days with the first stage covering the east of the island. The course weaved its way through the parish of Gorey, directing cyclists past the magnificent Mont Orgueil castle, one of Jersey's most beautiful landmarks. The second leg was along St Ouen's rugged bay, home to Jersey's famous sand dunes and several areas of outstanding natural beauty.
Organised in Jersey for the first time, the Tour de Bretagne is race steeped in history. It was established in 1967 and is now one of the most important week long stage races on the UCI European Tour.
More than 3,000 spectators lined the streets to watch the cyclists from all over the world, including France, Belgium, Netherlands, Great Britain, Norway, Russia and USA., and encourage them when the going got tough.
The Tour de Bretagne is renowned as a hard race for even the toughest of riders, and definitely not one for the faint hearted!
Photo courtesy of Jersey Evening Post.
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