More than 3,200 cyclists took part in the inaugural Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia event in Northern Ireland over the weekend. The Gran Fondo was a legacy event to mark the start of the Giro d’Italia in Belfast last year. First home in the event was the Belfast rider, Mark Kane, who was an Olympian in 1992.
Amongst those who took part in the event was Team Sky’s Richie Porte who said afterwards: “It was a nice day, so picturesque out there. I was surprised at how tough the course was. The Tour de France is in just under two weeks and to be honest this was a really good training ride for me.”
The 1987 Giro d’Italia winner, Stephen Roche, also took part, and the organisers have said that they hope to attract even more entrants next year.
Here’s some great drone footage of the event.
