ALMOST 4,000 cyclists encompassing a range of abilities and nationalities will be taking part in the second edition of the Gran Fondo, the legacy event of the 2014 Giro d'Italia, which returns to the north on Sunday.
The more serious riders will take in a more challenging 173-kilometre undulating course over the Mourne mountains, while the remainder will be involved in a less taxing 58-kilometre cycle centred around the Strangford area.
Both races will start and finish in Belfast, close to the iconic Titanic building where Mark Kane, of the well-known cycling dynasty, was crowned champion at the inaugural event last June. After taking part in the longer of the two loops, he crossed the line with a time of 5 hours 11 minutes and 14 seconds, closely followed by his brother Paul.
Hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets and country roads just over two years ago when the Giro d'Italia's Gran Partenza or 'Big Start' was held in Ireland, beginning with a time trial at the Titanic Slipways. Despite typically unseasonal early summer weather in May 2014, the event was voted a huge success and the sport has grown in popularity on these shores as part of the legacy.
Donegal professional Philip Deignan of Team Sky says racing in his home country was an unforgettable experience and the timing of the Gran Fondo couldn't be better this year: "The Giro Gran Fondo in Belfast takes place just the week after the Giro finishes and, in terms of cycling in Ireland, it’s grown incredibly.
"It’s special when it starts in your home country and I’ve definitely got fond memories of that. I think a lot of the riders are happy for Grand Tours to start in other countries. There was a huge amount of Donegal flags on the stage going out that way and that and the noise of the crowds gave me goose bumps."
While the bulk of the competitors taking part at the weekend are amateurs, riders and spectators alike will be able to get up close and personal with two former world champions and Giro winners. Ireland's Stephen Roche, who had an ambassadorial role at the 2014 event, will be joined by 1990 Giro winner Gianni Bugno, who went on to became a double world champion in 1991 and '92.
Roche, who won the triple crown of Giro, Tour de France and world championship in 1987, will be back in the saddle again this year with the Italian replacing current Australian pro Richie Porte who was another star attraction at the Gran Fondo 12 months ago.
The Gran Fondo is the centrepiece of a wider Northern Ireland Festival of Cycling, which runs for a fortnight. While Sunday's main events are restricted to cyclists over the age of 16, there will be plenty of opportunities for younger enthusiasts to sample the sport, both at the weekend and later in the month.
The Piccolo Fondo, which is a gentle bike ride along quiet roads aimed at families who will be able to cycle into Belfast and cross the Gran Fondo finish line, takes place on Saturday. There will also be a street velodrome open to the public over the weekend when the famous Giro d'Italia trophy will be on display in the Titanic quarter.
