Nicolas Roche teams up with Planet-X in Sheffield this weekend - rides, book signings and more

Nicolas Roche, who finished 15th overall in the 2010 Tour de France and seventh in the Vuelta a Espana the same year, will be helping Planet-X launch its 2012 range in Sheffield this weekend, as well as signing copies of his recently published autobiography and leading a ride through the hills of South Yorkshire and it's not too late to be a part of it all if you want to.

This Saturday afternoon, Roche, who is likely to race for Ireland in next summer’s Olympics, will be signing copies of his book at Planet-X’s showroom in Sheffield between noon and 4pm.

Then, on Sunday, he will lead 100 cyclists on a 100km ride through South Yorkshire. Entry costs £35, and for that you also get a signed copy of his book, a goodie bag with a CNP bottle, gels and energy bars, and post-ride refreshment courtesy of Nonna’s, the Italian restaurant in Sheffield which is also something of a hub for local cyclists including Dean and Russell Downing.

Nonna’s  will also host the final event of the weekend, a VIP evening between 6pm and 8pm on Sunday with Roche as guest of honour, costing £5 on the door. Full details of the weekend’s programme can be found on the Planet-X website.

The AG2R La Mondiale rider dedicated his book, Inside The Peloton, to former national team manager Frank Campbell, who these days works for Planet-X. Now principal road bike designer at Planet-X, Campbell was an influential figure in the career of the Irish cyclist, who also has a big inpiration closer to home – his father Stephen, winner in 1987 of the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and world road championship.

Stephen and Nico Roche © Simon MacMichael