It is considered to be one of the world’s greatest cycling events and in 2014, Giro d’Italia will be coming to the Docklands! On 12th May 2014, the third stage of the event will see competitors travelling from Armagh to Dublin, generating a significant benefit to Ireland’s economy in the process. The staging of the Giro d’Italia is being supported by Fáilte Ireland and Dublin City Council. The race enter Dublin City at Baldoyle travelling along James Larkin Road, Clontarf Road, Alfie Byrne Road, East Wall Road, 02, North Wall Quay, Custom House Quay. It will then cross the Liffey at Talbot Memorial Bridge on to City Quay, Lombard Street, Westland Row, Lincoln Place and finish at Merrion Square West at approximately 4.30 pm. Speaking at the Launch Minister of State for Tourism & Sport Michael Ring said:

Some 200 professional cyclists will be taking part in the event and organisers expect 12.5million live spectators over the three weeks.  Such is the prestige of the Giro that Bradley Wiggins, current Tour de France champion, has said he will focus on the Giro d’Italia in 2013 rather than defending his Tour de France title. There is also a strong Irish connection to the Giro with Stephen Roche winning the famous ‘Maglia Rosa’, the winners’ Pink Jersey, in 1987. Stephen’s victory will be celebrated in a number of ways in the lead up to and during the Giro’s Irish visit in 2014. Ireland’s Sean Kelly also experienced success in Italy winning the famous Milan-Sanremo twice and the Giro di Lombardia on three occasions.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Naoise Ó Muirí said “It’s great to hear Dublin will host a stage of the 2014 Giro d’Italia road race. Dublin is the spiritual home of Stephen Roche, one of cycling’s world greats and winner of the 1987 Giro d’Italia, and it is fitting that we will host the new generation of cyclists in the Giro in 2014. Dublin City Council is looking forward to hosting this great event and continuing the tradition of hosting major international events following on from the Europa League Final in 2011, Tall Ships Festival in 2012 and the Heineken Cup Final in May this year.”

The bid to bring the Grande Partenza to Ireland was lead by Shadetree Sport’s Darach McQuaid, who commented; “This is a huge achievement for Belfast and Dublin and the event will provide the island of Ireland with a fantastic opportunity to come out and witness one of the world’s most prestigious international sporting events first hand.”

Organisers are encouraging everyone to ‘Pink the City’ and to create a sense of occasion around this great sporting event. Maybe you could Pink your premises, offer a special Giro discount or a special Giro dish.

For further information on the 2014 Giro d’Italia, visit www.girostart2014.com.