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Mitchelstown man Neil O’Donnell pictured with Anne Riordan regional manager of the Irish Heart Foundation and his pal Wayne Webster. The men are undertaking a gruelling cycle in the French Alps in July to raise funds for the Irish Heart Foundation.

Not only is Mitchelstown man Neil O'Donnell about to undertake one of the toughest amateur cycles there is, he's being joined by his pal Wayne Webster in the endeavour. Both lads are participating in the 'La Marmotte', an annual one-day cyclosportive event held in the French Alps for amateur cyclists. They're doing so to raise badly needed funds for the Irish Heart Foundation to help fight heart disease and stroke.

"It's an extremely worthwhile cause which has given us a massive incentive to put in serious time and effort with diet and training for the past six months," Neil says.

The event is considered to be the first ever cyclosportive and also remains one of the most popular in Europe, with interest exceeding the 7,000 available places. The gruelling event starts in Bourg Doisans, in the heart of the Alps, on July 6th. It covers a distance of 174 kilometres and over 5,000 metres of climbing, including three 'Hors Categorie' climbs. It takes riders over the Col du Glandon, the Col du Telegraphe and the Col du Galibier and the ascent of the legendary Alep d'Huez, all of which are used in the Tour de France.

As well as putting in serious training, Neil, who now lives in Rathcormac, and Wayne who's originally from Loughmore, Co Tipperary but now lives in Carrigaline, are busy raising funds for the Heart Foundation before they leave for France and would be very grateful for any donations. To donate, visit www.irishheart.ie/lamarmotte.

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