Giro d’Italia: Spectacular opening event and road closures planned

Transport Minister Danny Kennedy is urging people to use public transport as he puts up the first of 1,700 posters along the Giro d’Italia route to warn people of road closures during next month’s world cycling event which is expected to attract 140,000 spectators.

By The Newsroom

Published 24th Apr 2014, 13:02 BST

Cyclists will go through Belfast, Ballymena, Ballymoney, the Giant’s Causeway, the Antrim coast and Larne before heading to Dublin.

Teams from 12 countries are expected to take part in next month’s race.

Australia, Belgium and Colombia will be among states represented at the three-stage beginning to one of world cycling’s top events, according to Belfast City Council.

A spectacular opening ceremony will be held in the grounds of Belfast City Hall before next month’s race.

The presentation of riders will be followed by entertainment from tenor singers and stunt riders.

The race will begin the following day, May 9, with a time trial around Belfast then competitors will travel to Northern Ireland’s north coast.

The final day will see riders cycle from Armagh to Dublin.