The exact details of the three stages of the 2014 Giro that will be taking place in Ireland this summer have been announced.
The Giro d’Italia will start in Ireland and race here for over three days. Stage one will see time trials whizz around a 22 km time trial around the iconic sights of Belfast; a stage two race looping around the north Antrim coast encompassing the magnificent Causeway Coast and rural Antrim before a final cross border stage starting in the beautiful city of Armagh. The race will then track along the east coast and finish its Ireland visit in the heart of Dublin City. The three week long Giro d’Italia will then continue in Italy.
It is anticipated that as many as 200 riders will be making the trip to Ireland along with their entourages including coaches, managers, masseurs and all the necessary supporting staff for professional cyclists. Like the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia attracts a large media following from the written, digital and global TV audience.
As true cycling fans know, nothing beats actually being there witnessing the race in person so those attending should be in for a treat!
Exact route details of 2014 Giro d’Italia Irish stages announced.
So far 2013 has been the one of the most notable for cycling in Ireland since the heady days of Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche topping the world rankings. Both Dan Martin’s historic Liege-Bastogne-Liege win in April; a track world title for Northern Ireland rider Martyn Irvine in February; and, of course, the announcement that the Giro d’Italia is coming in 2014 have made 2013 one to remember.
Next year could easily top this one, though. How many of the island’s stars will be on the Giro start line is still not absolutely certain yet, but Martin, Roche and Philip Deignan have all signalled their desire to be at the Grande Partenza in Belfast on the 9th May.