The 2023 Tour de Munster begins on Thursday, August 10 and will witness over 100 cyclists venturing 600km across the six counties of Munster to raise much-needed funds for the Munster branches of Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI).
This year will mark the 23rd instalment of the annual four-day extravaganza, with over €4 million raised for its beneficiaries since its activation.
The aim in 2023 is to raise vital funds for DSI Munster branches which became the primary beneficiary of the Tour in 2010.
Tour founder Paul Sheridan was on hand with cycling legend Sean Kelly to officially launch the Tour from Cork's 'Field of Dreams', and he is anticipating another remarkable year.
Listen back to the latest episode of SportsBeat Xtra - https://t.co/MaHGrxsaxI@shaunconnolly85 speaks with Keith Long of @WaterfordFCie and James Keddy of @WexfordFC
He also catches up with the founder of #tourdemunster Paul Sheridan.
— Beat 102 103 (@beat102103) June 18, 2023
"I'm humbled by the support we've got over the past 23 years," Paul said on SportsBeat Xtra.
"It's a real privilege to do it and invariably a huge pleasure."
The tour was initially created to allow people to enjoy a sense of achievement.
Its proud founder felt it was important for everybody to experience the thrill of the win, similar to that of the great Sonia O'Sullivan.
Through its continued success, the goal of the Tour has morphed into something far greater, as Paul was keen to share.
"It is about supporting people with Down Syndrome - trying to give them the wherewithal to achieve their full potential in life," he added.
"To make that as good a life as possible."
The great Sean Kelly is widely regarded as one of the very best cyclists of all time.
He is a proud supporter of the tour and his assistance is immeasurable to its cause.
"Sean has been with the Tour for the past 15/16 years and has done all four stages - he isn't just a talisman who turns for the photo calls; he cycles every km of the Tour and has done for the last 16 years," Paul stated proudly.
"He's not just a National legend; he's an International hero. He is the second-greatest cyclist of all time, only behind the great Eddy Merckx.
"It's phenomenal that this Country has produced Sean Kelly."
Tour de Munster 2023 will kick off from the English Market on Thursday the 10th of August, making its way through Tipperary, Waterford, Limerick, Clare and Kerry before returning to Cork on Sunday the 13th.
For more information on the Tour de Munster, visit www.tourdemunster.com, or find it on Facebook @tourdemunster.
To donate to this year’s Tour de Munster, https://www.idonate.ie/event/tdm23.
For further information on Down Syndrome Ireland, please see www.downsyndrome.ie.
Listen back to the full interview with Paul on SportsBeat Xtra.
Keep up to date with all the latest sports news on our website beat102103.com.
