Thousands of amateur cyclists are expected to be pedalling their way across Northern Ireland next June after the North's enterprise minister Arlene Foster announced that Gran Fondo events linked to the Giro d'Italia will be staged in the North.
Gran Fondo events are held every weekend in Italy between February and October but just a limited number of them are held under the pink jersey banner of the Giro d’Italia. Countries such as Holland, Israel and the United States have hosted them in recent years.
Ms Foster said that Grand Fondos will be staged in Northern Ireland over the next three years and will attract thousands of amateur riders from all over the world. Northern Ireland Tourist Board secured the rights for the events from RCS, which annually stages the Giro D’Italia race, and its Irish partners Shadetree Sports at a cost of £400,000.
Next year’s event will be held on June 21st, the longest day of the year, starting and finishing from the Titanic visitor centre over two routes, one 177 kilometres long, the other 59 kilometres. It is expected that the routes will take in Strangford Lough and the Mourne Mountains.
Ms Foster said the event was building on the success of the three opening stages of the Giro d’Italia which were held in Ireland this year. “Cyclists are now coming to ride the Giro stages and other routes across Northern Ireland and we want to capitalise on that interest,” she 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, as well as having a positive economic impact,” added Ms Foster.
The organisers are expecting 4,000 riders next year, 6,000 in 2016 and 8,000 in the final year of the Gran Fondo. “It will look like the Giro, it will feel like the Giro; we will have 177 kilometres of closed roads with police protection for upwards of 4,000 riders,” said Darach McQuaid, a director of Shadetree Sports.
“There will be strong engagement with the local communities, the event will pass through and our aim will be to create the pink magic that was done so well in May during the Big Start,” he added.
Andrea Trabuio, head of "mass events" for RCS Sport, added: "We are sure that this 'Made in Italy' event will be a big success and will positively promote Northern Ireland."
