RUISLIP cyclist Tony Gibb is set for one of the biggest challenges of his career.

The former Commonwealth Games and World Championship track cycling medalist heads to Kilkenny for the start of the professional cycling tour of Ireland.

Gibb is competing in the Plowman Craven/Evans team against some of the world's best teams and riders in the 864km event.

Gibb's team received an invitation into the five day race after they won key races in the UK and triumphed in the Blackpool GP and three national championship events.

Gibb said: "I have been training specifically for the race in the past month.

"I have been clocking up over 500 miles a week of training and racing. We know that it will be a big challenge for us but our successes this year have given us a lot of confidence.

"We have got the right skills and experience within the team and if the races pans out the right way, we could be in with a chance of getting into the results."