In the pink! Mayor hails the ‘fantastic legacy’ of the Giro!

Rugged clifftops, waves lapping on the shore and of course the famous Giant’s Causeway all featured in the coverage as a peloton of 196 riders weaved its way along the Causeway Coast.

Despite the rain crowds flocked to the vantage point at the Royal Court Hotel on the outskirts of Portrush to cheer on the riders.

The peloton wound its way northwards through Ballymena and Ballymoney and onto Portrush.

The riders headed east towards Ballycastle and then turned for the Belfast finish line along the coast road, taking in Carnlough, Larne and Carrickfergus. Despite almost constant rain from the start point, right housands of spectators wearing raincoats and holding umbrellas clapped and cheered as the bikes passed. It is estimated around 600 million viewers tuned in to television coverage of the race.

The Mayor of Coleraine, councillor David Harding, said: “The whole borough is still buzzing with the Giro d’italia and what took place over the past few days. Having the event in Portrush brought European attention to our north coast and showed the world the support we can provide for such an opportunity.

“I would like to thank Morellis Ices for supporting Council’s Giro Festival which ensured that families of all ages felt included in the lead up to the event, and to the Bann Wheeler Cycling Club which also provided great support in organising the event held in Coleraine Town centre.

“I hope those who embraced the Giro d’italia and everything about it will remember how all communities and those of all ages enjoyed it together.”