It's just over a month away now and the excitement is really building for the Giro's start in Ireland; just click on the image above for more information.
The organisers of the Giro d’Italia Irish start are giving fans the chance to attend the team presentation in Belfast on Thursday, May 8th, free of charge.
The event is being held the night before the race’s opening team time trial stage in the city, a fact that should create and celebratory, carnival atmosphere.
The evening is a ticket-only event where spectators will be able to get up close and personal with the 22 teams of nine riders as they are presented on stage on the grounds of Belfast City Hall.
The event takes place from 6.30pm to 9pm but the gates will be open from 5.30pm, where entrance is via ticket only.
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As well as introducing the riders to the crowds there will also be a strong entertainment component to the event with a performance by one of the Irish tenors Finbar Wright and stunt riders from the Rampage Extreme Sports Crew.
The tickets - limited to two per person - will be available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis at 9am, on Thursday, April 24th at the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre opposite Belfast City Hall.
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The race, which is set to feature three Irish professionals in the shape of Dan Martin (Garmin-Sharp), Nicolas Roche (Tinkoff-Saxo) and Philip Deignan (Team Sky) gets underway the following day with a 21.7 kilometre team time trial through Belfast.
The route takes in famous landmarks including Titanic Belfast, Stormont Parliament Buildings and Belfast City Hall.
The following day, Saturday; stage 2 begins and ends in Belfast with a 218km route covering the Titanic Quarter, Antrim, Ballymena, Bushmills, Giant's Causeway, Larne and Carrickfergus.
The final leg of the journey in Ireland starts in Armagh and finishes in Dublin. It passes through Richhill, Newtownhamilton and Forkhill before crossing the border into the Republic of Ireland.
The Giro doesn't do anything by half; the team presentation on the eve of the race is usually very pink and very big. Above, 2012 race winner Ryder Hesjedal emerges with the leader's jersey during last year's event on the eve of the opening stage (Photo: Sirotti)
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