Gran Fondo Hincapie Merced - March 15th 2025

Northern Ireland to host Gran Fondo

Up to 4,000 riders are expected to take part in a major spin-off cycling race linked to the Giro d'Italia in Northern Ireland next summer.

The one-day Gran Fondo attracts amateurs from around the world and will be held over the next three years in June. The event will start in Belfast's gentrified dockyard area.

This year the first three stages of the Giro "Big Start", one of cycling's premier professional events, took place in Northern Ireland and the Republic. The route included the dramatic North Coast and Stormont's Parliament Buildings as well as the ecclesiastical capital of Armagh and Dublin.

Andrea Trabuio, head of mass events at organisers RCS Sport, said: "Following the great success of the 2014 Giro d'Italia Big Start from Belfast, in the amazing scenery of the Northern Ireland coastline, we are very happy to announce a new three-year partnership that will see a series of Gran Fondo Giro d'Italia events hosted in this fantastic country.

"We are sure that this 'Made in Italy' event will be a big success and will positively promote Northern Ireland."

Large parts of Northern Ireland turned pink, the colour of the leader's jersey in Italy's flagship race, during this year's Giro.

Now tourism chiefs have invested approximately £400,000 in a bid to capitalise on the feel-good factor generated last summer.

The Fondo routes have not been announced but are expected to include the Mourne Mountains and Strangford Lough. One will cover 177 kilometres and another 59 kilometres. Both will start and finish at Titanic Belfast - a visitor centre constructed where the doomed liner was built a century ago - which hosted the start of the Giro.

Fondo events take place throughout Europe and the rest of the world. Recent hosts included Miami and New York City.

Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said the Fondo, or big long race, would establish a tangible legacy and increase awareness of Northern Ireland as a premium cycling and tourism destination.

"The 2014 Giro d'Italia captured the imagination of the people of Northern Ireland and was hailed as a resounding success by the organisers who were bowled over by the warmth of our welcome and enthusiasm.

"The Gran Fondo will establish a tangible legacy event to the Giro d'Italia and further increase awareness of Northern Ireland as a premium cycling and tourism destination."

Darach McQuaid, part of the local organising team, said being part of a growing global series of races ensured Northern Ireland was a leading cycling destination.

"We aim to make Gran Fondo Giro d'Italia Northern Ireland one of the best in the world and one which will attract riders from all around the globe to ride on Northern Ireland's roads and experience the warmth of the welcome here along with the unique Giro theme."