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Giro d'Italia: Third stage begins in Armagh before finishing in Dublin Giro d'Italia Northern Ireland trip hailed as success
(about 2 hours later)
The third and final stage of the Giro d'Italia in Northern Ireland has begun in Armagh on Sunday. Northern Ireland has bid farewell to the Giro d'Italia with tens of thousands of people having turned out to welcome the prestigious cycle race.
Around 200 cyclists set off from the city at the start of the 187km route. Spectators lined the roads throughout Belfast, the Antrim coast and County Armagh over the course of three days.
They pass through a number of towns and villages in County Armagh before racing across the border to the stage three finishing line in Dublin. The third stage began in Armagh on Sunday as the cyclists headed across the Irish border towards Dublin.
German rider Marcel Kittel won stage two on Saturday which took in some of NI's most scenic routes in a thrilling sprint finish, with a time of 5:13:12. The race has been hailed a success by NI's enterprise minister, while police praised people for their efforts.
The two cathedrals in Armagh altered the times of some of their morning services to accommodate the start of the race. The Giro d'Italia was the biggest sporting event ever staged in Northern Ireland, with competitors from more than 30 countries taking part.
Northern Ireland's Enterprise Arlene Foster was in Armagh to start the final stage of the race. 'Global stage'
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said: "Despite the inclement weather thousands of you were lining the streets to support the cyclists.
"For those of you who had to alter plans or rethink your journey, thank you for your understanding and patience.
"This was a significant event that portrayed Northern Ireland on a global stage and yet again we have proved that we are more than capable of hosting international events and doing them well."
Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster was in Armagh to start the third stage of the race.
"Once again Northern Ireland has proved that, in rain or shine, we can host top-class major events," she said."Once again Northern Ireland has proved that, in rain or shine, we can host top-class major events," she said.
"Not only did the Giro d'Italia capture the imagination of people living here, as the pink theme was embraced and spectators turned out to cheer on the competitors, but Northern Ireland has impressed the many visitors who have travelled from far afield."Not only did the Giro d'Italia capture the imagination of people living here, as the pink theme was embraced and spectators turned out to cheer on the competitors, but Northern Ireland has impressed the many visitors who have travelled from far afield.
"Bringing the world's second biggest cycling race to Northern Ireland was about proving on the international stage that we can deliver when it comes to staging major events. It was, of course, also about showcasing our tourism product to the world. We have achieved both of those objectives and much more.""Bringing the world's second biggest cycling race to Northern Ireland was about proving on the international stage that we can deliver when it comes to staging major events. It was, of course, also about showcasing our tourism product to the world. We have achieved both of those objectives and much more."
She said hosting the event had "lifted Northern Ireland to a new level".She said hosting the event had "lifted Northern Ireland to a new level".
"We have already announced that the Irish Open is returning in 2015 and 2017, and I have every confidence that more major events will follow in the years ahead," she added."We have already announced that the Irish Open is returning in 2015 and 2017, and I have every confidence that more major events will follow in the years ahead," she added.
Tens of thousands of spectators have turned out over the three days of racing. Saturday's route took in some of Northern Ireland's most scenic parts, as the riders travelled through Antrim, Ballymena and Bushmills along the Causeway coast, before returning to Belfast via Larne and Carrickfergus.
Many roads along the route during the three days have been closed at various times and motorists are warned to expect more disruption on Sunday. German rider Marcel Kittel won the stage in a thrilling sprint finish with a time of 5:13:12, while Australian Michael Matthews took the pink jersey as overall race leader.
Full details of road closures can be found at trafficwatchni.com/giro. On Friday, the Giro d'Italia's opening stage was held in Belfast. Australia's Orica GreenEdge won the team time-trial, with Svein Tuft taking the first pink jersey.
On Friday, the Giro d'Italia's opening stage was held in Belfast.
On Saturday, the riders travelled through Antrim, Ballymena and Bushmills, before returning to Belfast via Larne and Carrickfergus.
Northern Ireland is hosting the initial stages of the race over three days, as 22 teams begin their attempt to win the prestigious title.
Irish cyclist Dan Martin was ruled out of the Giro after suffering a suspected broken collarbone in a fall.
The Giro d'Italia is the biggest sporting event ever staged in Northern Ireland, with competitors from more than 30 countries taking part.