09/05/2014

Belfast Gears Up For The Giro d'Italia

Northern Ireland's Sports Minister Carál Nί Chuilίn has extended her best wishes to all cyclists participating in the Giro d’Italia, which begins in Belfast this evening.

The Giro d'Italia is an annual cycling race that takes place in Italy, but incorporates neighbouring countries into the route. This year, the race begins in Belfast, before making its way to the Antrim coast, then parts of Armagh and finishing in Dublin.

Speaking ahead of the event, Minister Nί Chuilίn said: "This is a magnificent sporting event to have on our shores and will provide a once in a lifetime opportunity for local people to see up front some of the greatest cyclists on the planet.

"Belfast and beyond is awash with pink in the countdown to the Grande Partenza and I have no doubt that the excitement on the streets of what is a great event for all of Ireland will be matched by the excitement of the peloton as it passes through the north en route to Dublin in the coming days.

"It will be a wonderful occasion and I offer my best wishes to all the cyclists from the 22 competing teams. While I will be keeping a close eye on the Irish riders Dan Martin, his cousin Nicolas Roche and Philip Deignan, I hope that their performance and that of the other riders will inspire a new generation to take up this great sport."

(IT/CD)

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