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Ireland bids to host start of 2014 Giro d'Italia

Tourism boards on both sides of the border co-operate to try and bring the Corsa Rosa to the Emerald Isle

Ireland could host the Giro d’Italia in a little over 18 months’ time with tourism bosses on bothe sides of the border putting together a joint bid to bring the start of the 2014 edition of the Corsa Rosa - the Pink Race - to the Emerald Isle.

According to a report in the Belfast Telegraph, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Failte Ireland are co-operating on the bid £3.8 million bid, which has the backing of governments on both sides of the border.

It is believed that staging the opening days of the race, planned for the bank holiday weekend from 2 to 4 May, 2014, could benefit the local economy to the tune of £10 million.

Under former race director Angelo Zomegnan and his successor Michele Acquarone, the Giro has pursued a strategy of internationalisation, including increasing the frequency of the Grande Partenza being held outside Italy.

This year’s race began in Denmark, while two years ago the opening stages were held in The Netherlands, with Team Sky’s Bradley Wiggins taking the maglia rosa in the Amsterdam Prologue.

The bid to bring the Giro to Ireland, which is reportedly yet to be formally submitted, is being co-ordinated by Shade Tree Sports, a company co-founded and managed by Darach McQuaid, brother of UCI president Pat McQuaid.

The company, which has offices in Dublin and Richmond, Virginia, was also behind the successful bid by the latter for the UCI Road World Championships in 2015.

A spokesman for the company said, “It is an ongoing project" and added that further details might be made public in early November.

The Republic of Ireland hosted the Grand Depart of the Tour de France in 1998, and in Stephen Roche has a former Giro d’Italia champion.
 

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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alg | 11 years ago
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not sure that a few pints of the Liffey Water will go especially well with a tour but it might be fun finding out

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kitkat | 11 years ago
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This would be awesome. Giro in Ireland & tour In Scotland. I think I'm at an all I can eat cycling buffet!

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giff77 | 11 years ago
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I hope that this comes off. I'll be booking my holidays back to God's country and working out a few ride outs.  4

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Hilltown_Ian | 11 years ago
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I hear what you're saying but it's no different to asking 'why bring the Tour de France to Britain'? Yes, it's not over the Italian terrain but those opening stages are rarely of value and interest so why not.. I for one will be making the trek across to see it for sure. Don't complain, embrace it and go enjoy it and take in a few days riding the Comeragh mountains or other such great spots.

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Karbon Kev | 11 years ago
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+1 - totally agree, what's Ireland got to do with the Italian grand tour ffs!

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jollygoodvelo | 11 years ago
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Am I the only one who really doesn't like these globetrotting sections of races? It's the Giro d'Italia, it should demonstrate who the best racer is over the terrain of Italia!

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