Giro Mania – Team Dromara CC go Global

by Rich · May 14, 2014

With a rush of excitement the Giro D’Italia arrived into town. It started with the many Dromara Stalkers hunting down the pro teams – Garmin Sharp/Cannondale/AG2R and Trek staying at La Mon, Team Sky at Park Avenue & BMC at Ramada. This lead to a great opportunity for all to call in and get a few treasured photo’s of the stars plus check out the tasty looking bikes. For those of us able to get out and about there was opportunity to see the pro teams riding around all the local roads. I mean who would have believed Dan Martin and Team would be training on the Moss Road, Ballygowan or Team Cannondale heading up the Carrickmannon Road to visit Neil C.

On Thursday 8th May the Team Riders signed on down at Belfast City Hall and those luck enough to get tickets got to see a great show.
Once everyone got an early night the stage was set for Stage 1 the TTT. I was lucky enough to see the teams in Belfast in the morning with some club members like Zak H and Marty doing a spot of Marshalling. The plan had been to watch the Team Time Trial at the Stranmillis Roundabout and with out fail Dromara certainly left their mark. With over 40 club members kitted out with club gear and several members going above and beyond to support the Giro.

Ronnie embraces the Giro

Go Team Columbia

In the organisation of this nothing was left to chance with even our own Michelin Starred Chef on hand to prepare the food.

Chef Bailie

Girls Just want to have fun

For those that survived Friday then Saturday was yet to come with many Dromara kit seen at the start of Stage 2 – Stevie W giving Kittel a few pointers for the race, Gary B trying to negotiate a new lead out man and many others taking a few selfies.

Having seen them head out to the North Coast many more supported the riders all the way around the stage with a huge crowd in Belfast to watch Kittel take Stage 2 in front of City Hall.

Stage 3 started in Armagh and several members made the journey across to support the riders at Richhill.

Dromara CC on Tour

This is just a quick snapshot of what members did when the Giro was here. By reading all the articles it is clear the riders appreciated the full support. Even Rigoberto Uran loves the club