PHOTOS: Fans Flock To Fels Point To Meet Nicholas Roche

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Katie and Dara Reidy, with Tour de France cyclist, Nicolas Roche. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.

Katie and Dara Reidy, with Tour de France cyclist, Nihcolas Roche. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

TOUR DE FRANCE cyclist, Nicholas Roche, came to the Fels Point Hotel on Monday night as part of an event to raise funds for the Donal Walsh LiveLife foundation.

A crowd of around 250 cycling fans greeted the ‘Le Tour’ rider. It was a thrill for young fans in particular, who got a chance to meet one of their heroes.

A true pro, Nicholas was more than happy to sign autographs, take selfies and have a brief chat with the kids that congregated around him.

“It’s quite a long time since I’ve been around this part of Ireland, I haven’t been here since I was around 16. It’s great to be back down here,” said Nicholas.

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“Cycling is getting bigger in Ireland every year, during the tour I always see Irish flags on the side of the road and it’s always a great lift. But I know a lot of people who wish me well can’t be there, so these nights are a opportunity to meet those people who give me such support,” said Nicholas.

After the meet and greet with fans, Nicholas, spoke on stage in an interview with Radio Kerry’s Weeshie Fogarty. After that, the floor was opened to attendees to ask Nicholas about the sport and his life as an elite cyclist.

Roche, who is the son of former Tour de France winner, Stephen, has just signed up for one of the top teams in the world, Team Sky, the home of last year’s tour winner, Chris Froome.

Event organiser, Joe O’Shea, had these words to say about the visit from one of the world’s best riders.

“Nicholas is very impressed by how much Donal Walsh inspired people, we’re hoping to have a sportive someday and have Nicholas Roche be our main rider.”

“He’s a really down to earth guy, top riders don’t have much time when they are off, so the fact he came down here to help us out shows what a good guy he is,” said Joe.

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Out to meet Tour cyclist, Nicholas Roche, at Fels Point for the LifeLifeFoundation were, from left: Kieran Coggins, David Fitzgerald and Dylan O'Sullivan. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.

Out to meet cyclist, Nicholas Roche, at Fels Point Hotel for the LiveLife Foundation event were, from left: Kieran Coggins, David Fitzgerald and Dylan O’Sullivan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

Nicolas Roche, was more than happy to sign autographs for young fans. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.

Nicolas Roche, was more than happy to sign autographs for young fans. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

Out to meet Tour cyclist, Nicholas Roche, at the Fels Point Hotel for the LifeLifeFoundation were, from left: Maura Moriarty, Sinead Leahy and Caoimhe Moriarty. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.

Out to meet cyclist, Nicholas Roche, at the Fels Point Hotel for the LiveLife Foundation event were, from left: Maura Moriarty, Sinead Leahy and Caoimhe Moriarty. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

Out to meet Tour cyclist, Nicholas Roche, at the Fels Point Hotel for the LifeLifeFoundation were, from left: John Scanlon, Mohammad Abdulsalam and Aidan Scanlon. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.

Out to meet cyclist, Nicholas Roche, at the Fels Point Hotel for the LifeLive Foundation event were, from left: John Scanlon, Mohammad Abdulsalam and Aidan Scanlon. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

Out to meet Tour cyclist, Nicholas Roche, at the Fels Point Hotel for the LifeLifeFoundation were, from left: Robert, Harry and Hugh Emerson. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.

Out to meet cyclist, Nicholas Roche, at the Fels Point Hotel for the LifeLive Foundation event were, from left: Robert, Harry and Hugh Emerson. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

Out to meet Tour cyclist, Nicholas Roche, at the Fels Point Hotel for the LifeLifeFoundation were, from left: Micheal O'Sullivan, Paul Murphy and Cian Hogan. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.

Out to meet cyclist, Nicholas Roche, at the Fels Point Hotel for the LifeLive Foundation event were, from left: Micheal O’Sullivan, Paul Murphy and Cian Hogan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

Tour de France cyclist, Nicholas Roche, speaks to young fans at the LiveLife Foundation event on in Fels Point. Photo By Gavin O'Connor.

Tour de France cyclist, Nicholas Roche, speaks to young fans at the Live Life Foundation event  in Fels Point Hotel. Photo By Gavin O’Connor.

Nicholas Roche, signs an autograph for a fan in Fels Point, for a LifeLife Foundation event. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.

Nicholas Roche, signs an autograph for a fan in Fels Point Hotel, for the LifeLive Foundation event. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

 Nicholas Roche, signs an autograph for a fan in Fels Point, for a LifeLife Foundation event. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.

Nicholas Roche, signs an autograph for a fan in the Fels Point Hotel, during the LifeLive Foundation event. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

 

 

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