Ulster Unionist MEP, Jim Nicholson, has welcomed the enormous feel-good factor and positive international publicity being generated for Northern Ireland by the Giro d'Italia which is being held in the Province this weekend.
Mr Nicholson said:
"The staging of this highly prestigious international sporting event in Northern Ireland has stimulated tremendous interest right across our community and the economic and tourism spin-offs from the race are a very welcome boost for us all.
"This is the side of Northern Ireland we want to present to the world and I am delighted that a crucial part of the race will be staged in my own home county of Armagh.
"The Giro d'Italia provides us with an excellent launch pad to another huge international sporting event being held in our Province - the North West 200 motor cycle races along the picturesque Causeway Coast next week. In the short space of a week, the eyes of the world will be firmly focused on Northern Ireland for all the right reasons."
"The Giro d'Italia is a race some people may not have been familiar with, but over recent weeks it has certainly captured the imagination of tens of thousands of local people.
"The atmosphere and build-up created in the towns and villages along the route is presenting a very positive image of Northern Ireland which will be beamed into the homes of scores of millions across Europe and further afield.”