Ulster Unionist Economy Spokesperson, Sandra Overend MLA, highlighted the continued involvement of local Moneymore firm Cicli Sport, during an Assembly Debate on the world famous cycle race, the Giro d’Italia, which gets way in just over a week’s time.
Mid-Ulster representative Mrs Overend said,
“I am particularly delighted to see Cicli Sport, a cycle firm from Moneymore in the heart of Mid-Ulster with almost 40 years in the business, being so closely involved in the preparations for the Giro D’Italia events. The recent Giro Hall of Fame celebration event at the Giant’s Causeway, which saw Stephen Roche inducted to the roll of honour, follows up Cicli’s involvement in the Giro d’Italia launch last year. Cicli have been asked to supply a number of Pinarello bicycles for the launch and associated events, and have brought their rich heritage in cycling to the build-up to the historic race, which comes to Northern Ireland for the first time.
"Cicli, who take their name from Italian roots and bring three generations of cycling tradition to Mid-Ulster, will tie the best of Northern Irish cycling with this world class sporting event, and I would take this opportunity to congratulate this local business on their success and their contribution to cycling. Indeed, to see another product of Mid-Ulster’s rich cycling heritage, we need only look at the successful cycling career of Wendy Houvenaghel, from Upperlands, Co. Londonderry.
“The Giro D’Italia comes to Northern Ireland on Friday 9 May with the team time trial moving from Belfast city centre to Stormont and back. It continues on Saturday 10 May when the competitors make their way from Belfast to the Causeway Coast and back, and concludes on Sunday 11 May when the tour travels from Armagh to Dublin. The route allows a wide cross section of the province easy access to the action, and I would urge anyone who can, to come along and get involved with the event.
“Running in tandem with the race itself will be many community events, and it is in that community-wide spirit of participation that I see great parallels with similar events which surrounded the Olympic torch run and the Queen’s Jubilee two summers ago.
“After hosting the Irish Open and the World Police and Fire Games here, the Giro d’Italia is another chance to showcase the unmatched scenery, unrivalled hospitality (and unpredictable weather!) that Northern Ireland has to offer. What it also provides is an opportunity for our local businesses to get involved, and I am glad that on this occasion Cicli Sport has done just that.”