BELFAST has turned pink in honour of the 97th edition of the Giro d'Italia, which begins in the city today.
The Grande Partenza or ‘big start’ of the 2014 Giro includes three stages in Ireland, beginning in Belfast and ending in Dublin on 11 May, before the race moves to Italy.
Up to 150,000 spectators are expected to follow the race along its Irish stages with fans and locals set to enjoy Italian-inspired 'Al fresco’ dining, ‘taste of Italy’ menus, Italian coffees and cocktails.
Iconic landmarks and pubs have also been decorated pink to celebrate the arrival of the race on Irish shores.
A big opening ceremony and team presentation carnival was held on Thursday at Belfast City Hall, where Irish riders Dan Martin (Garmin-Sharp), Nicolas Roche (Tinkoff-Saxo) and Philip Deignan (Team Sky) were welcomed by hoards of excited fans.
Roche explained that the reception he had received from the crowds on home soil had left him "speechless".
"The welcome I received at the team presentation at City Hall truly gave me goosebumps," he said.
"I actually think the buzz I got tonight when they called my Tinkoff-Saxo team to the stage will beat anything else in the next three weeks.
Even the sheep have been dressed in pink to celebrate the Giro d'Italia arriving on Irish soil (Photo: Art Ward)"As the guys walked ahead, I was left to cycle up the rampart alone and got a huge reception from the crowd. It left me humbled and a bit speechless as only a real Irish welcome can.
"Maybe I will have butterflies like that again on the start ramp but when you're fully concentrated on the stage ahead you don't always hear the crowd."
The opening 21.7km team time trial will kick off from Titanic Belfast this morning, the world’s largest Titanic visitor centre which stands on the site the famous vessel was constructed.
On Saturday 10 May a 218km leg starts in Belfast and travels to the world-famous Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coastal Route, before returning to the Northern Irish capital.
On day three the riders will embark on a 187km challenging pedal. They leave the historic city of Armagh, heading south to Dublin via Dundalk, Drogheda, Balbriggan and the seaside Dublin suburbs before heading into the city centre to a finish line in Merrion Square in front of thousands of cheering fans.
The three week race will feature three time trials, 40 categorised climbs, 10 uphill finishes and a longest stage of 249km (154.75 miles). The race's highest point is atop the Stelvio at 2,758m.
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