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| Giro d'Italia: Northern Ireland stage begins in Belfast | Giro d'Italia: Northern Ireland stage begins in Belfast |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The world's second-largest bike race, the Giro d'Italia, has begun in Belfast. | |
| Road closures will be in place for much of the day in many parts of the city and thousands of fans are expected to attend the international event. | Road closures will be in place for much of the day in many parts of the city and thousands of fans are expected to attend the international event. |
| Northern Ireland is hosting the initial stages of the competition over the next three days, which will see about 200 cyclists race through the streets. | Northern Ireland is hosting the initial stages of the competition over the next three days, which will see about 200 cyclists race through the streets. |
| A total of 22 teams are competing for the prestigious title. | A total of 22 teams are competing for the prestigious title. |
| 'Absolutely incredible' | 'Absolutely incredible' |
| Cycling fans lined the city centre streets on Friday morning to get a glimpse of some of the world's best racers in action, as a practice session got under way. | Cycling fans lined the city centre streets on Friday morning to get a glimpse of some of the world's best racers in action, as a practice session got under way. |
| The athletes were welcomed to Northern Ireland on Thursday evening at the official opening ceremony in Belfast. | The athletes were welcomed to Northern Ireland on Thursday evening at the official opening ceremony in Belfast. |
| About 5,500 members of the public gathered at Belfast City Hall as the teams were introduced on stage. | About 5,500 members of the public gathered at Belfast City Hall as the teams were introduced on stage. |
| Some of the loudest cheers were given to Irish professional cyclist Nicolas Roche. | Some of the loudest cheers were given to Irish professional cyclist Nicolas Roche. |
| His father, Stephen Roche, won the Giro D'Italia 27 years ago. | His father, Stephen Roche, won the Giro D'Italia 27 years ago. |
| Acknowledging the applause, Nicolas Roche said: "I am so happy and so proud to be here among you guys." | Acknowledging the applause, Nicolas Roche said: "I am so happy and so proud to be here among you guys." |
| He added: "Thanks everyone for being here tonight, I am speechless." | He added: "Thanks everyone for being here tonight, I am speechless." |
| Another Irish cyclist, Philip Deignan from Team Sky, was also given a loud welcome. | Another Irish cyclist, Philip Deignan from Team Sky, was also given a loud welcome. |
| The County Donegal native said: "I never thought I would see the day when I would be able to start the race in my own country so it is amazing." | The County Donegal native said: "I never thought I would see the day when I would be able to start the race in my own country so it is amazing." |
| Belfast City Council's events manager, Gerry Copeland, said the atmosphere at the opening ceremony was "absolutely incredible". | Belfast City Council's events manager, Gerry Copeland, said the atmosphere at the opening ceremony was "absolutely incredible". |
| 'Glorious pink' | 'Glorious pink' |
| "Despite mother nature depositing a sizable amount of rain on top of the people, it really was fantastic." | "Despite mother nature depositing a sizable amount of rain on top of the people, it really was fantastic." |
| Mr Copeland said there was "glorious pink everywhere" as the city embraced the traditional colour of the 97-year-old race. | Mr Copeland said there was "glorious pink everywhere" as the city embraced the traditional colour of the 97-year-old race. |
| The events manager added that hosting such a high-profile competition would boost Belfast's reputation on the international stage. | The events manager added that hosting such a high-profile competition would boost Belfast's reputation on the international stage. |
| "About 775m people will actually view this event, they will see this city in its shining glory, so it's an amazing event to have." | "About 775m people will actually view this event, they will see this city in its shining glory, so it's an amazing event to have." |
| Full details of road closures can be found at: www.trafficwatchni.com/giro. | Full details of road closures can be found at: www.trafficwatchni.com/giro. |
| From 09:30 BST to 12:30 BST on Friday, several streets in east Belfast, south Belfast, and the city centre were closed for the practice session. | From 09:30 BST to 12:30 BST on Friday, several streets in east Belfast, south Belfast, and the city centre were closed for the practice session. |
| The actual race has begun in the east of the city. | |
| Stage one of the competition is a team time trial from Titanic Quarter to Stormont and on to Belfast City Hall. | Stage one of the competition is a team time trial from Titanic Quarter to Stormont and on to Belfast City Hall. |
| The cyclists will travel to Stormont via the Newtownards Road then make their way through south Belfast to the city centre. | The cyclists will travel to Stormont via the Newtownards Road then make their way through south Belfast to the city centre. |
| About 20 roads will be closed from 16:00 BST to 20:30 BST for the time trial. | About 20 roads will be closed from 16:00 BST to 20:30 BST for the time trial. |
| Motorists have been warned to expect disruption in the city on Friday and to use alternative routes. | Motorists have been warned to expect disruption in the city on Friday and to use alternative routes. |
| Spectators have been advised to walk, cycle or use public transport to get to the event. | Spectators have been advised to walk, cycle or use public transport to get to the event. |
| On Saturday, the race moves on to the north coast, travelling along one of Northern Ireland's most scenic routes. | On Saturday, the race moves on to the north coast, travelling along one of Northern Ireland's most scenic routes. |
| The third and final stage begins in Armagh on Sunday, as the competitors race over the border for a sprint finish in Dublin. | The third and final stage begins in Armagh on Sunday, as the competitors race over the border for a sprint finish in Dublin. |
| The Giro d'Italia is the biggest sporting event ever staged in Northern Ireland, with competitors from more than 30 countries taking part. | The Giro d'Italia is the biggest sporting event ever staged in Northern Ireland, with competitors from more than 30 countries taking part. |
| The competitors are not the only group of cyclists taking to the streets in Belfast on Friday. | The competitors are not the only group of cyclists taking to the streets in Belfast on Friday. |
| The Cycle Against Suicide campaign, which involves about 800 cyclists, is travelling from the City Life Centre in Northumberland Street to Portadown, County Armagh. | The Cycle Against Suicide campaign, which involves about 800 cyclists, is travelling from the City Life Centre in Northumberland Street to Portadown, County Armagh. |
| It is the first time the group have got back on their bikes since their campaign was hit by tragedy earlier this week. | It is the first time the group have got back on their bikes since their campaign was hit by tragedy earlier this week. |
| Their 14-day tour around the island of Ireland was halted on Wednesday, when one of their motorcycle marshals, Brenawn O'Connell, was killed in a collision in County Donegal. | Their 14-day tour around the island of Ireland was halted on Wednesday, when one of their motorcycle marshals, Brenawn O'Connell, was killed in a collision in County Donegal. |