After the huge success of the Giro d’Italia Big Start
in Northern Ireland in 2014, the cycling legacy lives on with the Gran Fondo
this June, and with just under a month to go,
cyclists are being urged to register to take part before it is too late.
Taking place on Sunday June 21, it will give
participants a truly authentic Giro d’Italia experience with fully closed roads
helping to showcase Northern Ireland’s beautiful landscape to riders from all
over the world. Registration ends on Sunday June 7 and can be completed at www.granfondogiroditaliaNI.com
Tourism NI Market Manager Fiona Cunningham said:
“The Gran Fondo will establish a tangible legacy event to the Giro d’Italia and
further increase awareness of Northern Ireland as a premium cycling and tourism
destination. The event is a fitting end to Bike Week which takes place in
Ireland and the UK from 13-21 June. There are lots of events taking part across
the city including ‘Piccolo Fondo’ on June 20; 4 led bike rides for all the
family along radial routes into the Titanic Quarter for the Festival of Cycling
and the exciting centre-piece - a velodrome open to the public”.
The new Belfast Bike Scheme is a great way to see the
city from two wheels. There are 30 docking stations located throughout the city
centre which offer visitors to Belfast a low cost and convenient way to travel
for quick trips around the City” Fiona added.
There will be two routes
to cycle for the Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia.
The Mourne Route, a 177km ride will challenge the fittest riders by
providing tough climbs and take them through some breath-taking scenery
including the Spelga Dam and Slieve Croob with views over Lough Neagh. The Strangford
Route, a 58km loop achievable for beginner and novice cyclists covering a route
around North Down with the beauty of Strangford Lough
to keep them company for much of this route. Both routes start and finish in
Belfast, at the iconic Titanic Belfast building.
Top cyclist Richie Porte
of Team Sky, winner of this year’s Paris-Nice, Tour of Catalunya and Giro del
Trentino stages races, will participate, while famous Irish cyclist legend
Stephen Roche will be present over the weekend to welcome riders, tell stories
and to cycle the Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia.
Participants will enjoy
mechanical support on route, fully stocked food and hydration stations on both
routes, a Giro Gift Bag with unique items, a post-ride pasta party with beer
and wine and finishers' medals and a closing ceremony on the Sunday at 17:30. If
you don’t think you have the stamina to take part in the cycle itself then head
to Belfast’s Titanic Quarter and soak up all the atmosphere. There will be an
Italian atmosphere at the famous building with a continental food market, a
Giro Expo and family fun events to keep everyone entertained. All this topped
off with the famous Northern Ireland welcome!
Registration
details can be found at: www.granfondogiroditaliaNI.com
For more
information on cycling in Northern Ireland and the Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia, click
on www.discovernorthernireland.com/cycling or
Callsave 1850 230 230.
