Giro d’Italia organisers will visit Dundalk later this month, Cuchulainn Cycling Club Chairman Pat O’Shaughnessy has confirmed. The Italian delegation will travel the entire route of the Irish leg of the race from Belfast to Dublin and will visit Dundalk for a time where they will follow the route up through the Dundalk Town Centre, and meet with local organisers headed by Dundalk Town Council’s Frank Pentony along with Pat O’Shaughnessy. The Giro d’Italia has its ‘Big Start’ in Belfast on Friday, May 9th and arrives in Dundalk on Sunday May 11th en route to Dublin.
Following negotiations, Dundalk has secured the only sprint of the southern Ireland leg of the race which will also go towards the red jersey. The town has also been confirmed as a TV Hub, ensuring live streaming of the race to a global audience of 250million people and will also feature a tourism package including Cuchulainn’s Castle.
Speaking this week Pat O’Shaughnessy said the visit will help local organisers get an idea of what the town can expect from Giro. “We have yet to be given a specific date or time but we know that the delegation will be in Dundalk for a number of hours at some point between February 24-27th. The visit is an ideal opportunity to hear from the logistics crews on how they will be preparing for the event and what needs to be in place for May 11th and also to outline how Dundalk is preparing for the arrival of the world’s second biggest cycling race. It is such a huge event on an international scale but at least this visit will allow relationships to be forged with the Italian crews ahead of the May event.”
Frank Pentony, Town Clerk, Dundalk Town Council said he is looking forward to meeting with the Italian delegation and getting things underway for Giro Dundalk. “With a live global audience of 250million, this is a phenomenal opportunity for Dundalk. I look forward to meeting with the Italian delegation on their visit to Dundalk and hearing how we can get the most out of Dundalk’s involvement in what is one of the world’s main sporting events of 2014.”
