Gareth Thomas: Former Wales rugby star to take part in Etape Cymru

Former Wales rugby star  Gareth Thomas will take part in  the Wiggle Etape Cymru cycling  sportive.

Thomas won 100 caps for his country and also played for the Wrexham based rugby league side the Crusaders.

Upon becoming the event’s ambassador, he said: “I can’t wait to tackle this  sportive later in the year.

“Since retiring from rugby  I’ve got involved with cycling in  a big way as it’s a cracking way  to keep fit and takes the strain  off my body.

“The Wiggle Etape Cymru is a  real lung-buster and I’d recommend getting some serious  training in before the event.

“Like all things when you  cross the border from England  to Wales they get a lot tougher  and this event is no exception.”

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Wiggle Etape Cymru is part of  the Human Race sportive series  and takes place in North Wales  on September 14.

It is an epic 88-mile leg-burner through the hills which is  renowned for being the  toughest closed-road sportive  in the UK.

Traditionally the season  closer, many riders spend their  summer building up to the Etape in preparation for its steep  hills and stunning scenery,  showcasing spectacular views  of the Clwydian Range.

The event also includes a  ‘King of the Mountain’ stage on  the infamous Horseshoe Pass, a  6.1km climb that gains 317m in  height and at times has a gradient of 20%, as well as other  famous climbs ‘The Shelf’ and  the ascent up to ‘Worlds End’ –  the highest point of the route at  1410ft.

For more information about  the event visit: www.humanrace.co.uk/cycling

Article source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-2556388/How-fix-broken-game-Twelve-angry-men-issue-Scottish-rugbys-disturbing-problems.html

Gareth Thomas: Former Wales rugby star to take part in Etape Cymru