The dates of the Giro starting in Ireland next year may have been changed but that is unlikely to diminish support for its visit to Belfast and Dublin.
In an unprecedented development, the start of the Giro d’Italia in Ireland has been moved to a Friday and an additional rest day has been added to the race; falling after just three stages.
The move is designed to facilitate the easier movement of the race – including personnel and equipment – back to Italy after it visits Belfast and Dublin.
The new plans have been approved by both the UCI and RCS Sport, which owns the race.
Originally, in plans released by RCS Sport in February, the race was due to begin on Saturday May 10th next, with a stage starting and finishing in Belfast.
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The following day’s stage 2 would again start and finish in Belfast on Sunday and then on Monday May 12th the race would start in Armagh and finish in Dublin.
However, the action has now been brought forward by 24 hours and the Monday will become a rest day, allowing for the calmer transportation of the entire race back to Italy.
The race organization has suggested in an announcement today that the move is designed to generate more spectator interest; a reason that will ring hollow for most.
It appears the logistical challenge of getting the race back to mainland Italy would simply be too big to enable stage 3 to finish in Dublin and then for stage 4 to start in Italy the next morning.
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And with the race route in Italy decided – though not officially announced – it was much easier to bring the opening three stages forward by 24 hours and then add a rest day, thus not interrupting any of the logistics already in place for Italy.
Darach McQuaid of Shadetree Sports – a company helping to facilitate the race in Ireland – welcomed the move.
“(It) shows the sport, and its stakeholders, are taking the riders and teams welfare into account, especially when organising a project such as a foreign start of a Grand Tour.”
“On the front end it will pose some new logistical challenges for the opening stage in Belfast on the Friday and on the back end, it will make the evacuation to Italy on Monday 12th May, a much calmer operation. In terms of the riders and their well being, it is especially welcome."
Northern Ireland Tourism Minister Arlene Foster said the change of plan should not make any difference.
“My department and I, along with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, are working in partnership with the race organisers to ensure a smooth roll out of the operation on the ground in Northern Ireland.”
“Everyone in Northern Ireland is looking forward to welcoming this hugely exciting competition to our shores next year and to embracing the passion, colour and atmosphere that comes with the Grande Partenza.”
Giacomo Catano, RCS Sport CEO, said: "RCS Sport welcomes the decision that further confirms the perfect harmony between the International Cycling Union (UCI) and the strategies of our company, aimed at the promotion and development of cycling around the world.”
“We are happy that the dialogue conducted in a positive atmosphere, has satisfied all the teams that will be able to handle at best the transfer to Italy. Giro d’Italia Grande Partenza will allow all the fans from the island of Ireland to live the excitement of our great event."
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