The North can now look forward to a three-year deal with Giro d’Italia owners RCS Sports. Pictured at yesterday’s Gran Fondo announcement in Belfast; Darach McQuaid of Shadetree Sports, Susie McCullough of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Andrea Trabuio of RCS Sport.

 

Following on from the success of the Grande Partenza of this year’s Giro d’Italia in Belfast, the organisers of the race have committed to Northern Ireland with three major events over the next three years.

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) in association with RCS Sport, which owns the Giro, has announced details of a Gran Fondo starting and finishing in Belfast on Sunday June 21st next year.

Details of the event – which will run for the next three years – were revealed yesterday in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, an area that provided the backdrop to the start of the Giro back in May.

There will be two routes on the day; a 177-kilometre test and a less demanding 59-kilometre trek. Combined the sportive routes are expected to attract upwards of 4,000 riders.

The staging of the events is a major coup for the North, which hosted the vast majority of the Giro’s opening three stages.

In contrast, the Republic played host to just the finish of the final stage and to date has failed to capitalise on the historic visit of the race to Irish shores.

 

RCS Sport has organised Gran Fondo events in other European countries. For some they are a purely leisure pursuit while others take a more competitive approach.

 

Dublin-based Shadetree Sports, the agency that facilitated the race’s visit to Ireland, is also involved in the Gran Fondo venture.

The exact routes will be announced next month but many of Northern Ireland’s biggest tourist attractions are expected to be included along one or both routes.

Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster said: “The 2014 Giro d’Italia captured the imagination of the people of Northern Ireland and was hailed as a resounding success by the organisers who were bowled over by the warmth of our welcome and enthusiasm.

“People are now coming to ride the Giro stages and other routes across Northern Ireland and we want to capitalise on that interest.

“The Gran Fondo will establish a tangible legacy event to the Giro and increase awareness of Northern Ireland as a premium cycling and tourism destination.”

Darach McQuaid of Shadetree Sports said the deal was further evidence of the appetite for cycling north and south of the border.

“We aim to make Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia Northern Ireland one of the best in the world,” he said.

 

Belfast was in full bloom in May despite the bad weather. And now the Giro feel good factor takes the form of legacy events that should add further to the local economy and create a carnival atmosphere as Dublin dithers.

 

“It will attract riders from all around to globe to ride on Northern Ireland’s roads and experience the warmth of the welcome here.”

He added the roads would be fully closed for the riders, with the route sealed off thanks to the cooperation of the PSNI who played a key role in the Giro’s success.

“Being part of this growing global series will give us the ability to market Northern Ireland as a leading cycling destination and attract new visitors,” McQuaid added.

“Building on the success of the Giro last May is important for cycling in Ireland, North and South.

“We are in discussions with some brands and broadcasters regarding the re-launch of a five day professional Tour in Ireland and discussions are going very well.

“We would hope to begin to work with the UCI very soon regarding a 2016 Europe Tour calendar date.

“Our partnership with RCS Sport has been a great one over the last three years and we aim to continue with it on this new event and possibly others.”