La Grande Partenza

Alora.

At last, after the hullabaloo of the opening ceremony, today (Friday May 9) marks the big start.  On second thoughts, perhaps the Italian phrase resonates more lyrically – La Grande Partenza.

Having volunteered to marshal at the time trial itself, rather than at the morning practice sessions, the early half of the day was free to attend a spin class.  

Good preparation for the first ever international Grand Tour event in Belfast.

The Belgian team Lotto Belisol had not yet left the Ramada Hotel.  As you do, a friend and I approached one the Belisol senior staff.  

Objective: - to see if we could get a souvenir.  Result:- a team hat and water bottle each and undisguised joy.

Our delight with our new Flemish friend’s generosity was easily trumped by his later unexpected appearance at our class when, at the tutor’s encouragement, he received a well-earned round or warm applause from everybody in the class for services to international relations.   

A heart-warming start to 3 days of professional cycling.

Next stop, 3 Glengall Street in the city centre at lunchtime.

Rather than compete with the traffic and face delays, I decided to cycle in and chain my bike to a guard rail in the car park.  

We receive final instructions - and a packed lunch. 

   

I still have to comprehend the reason for beginning with a team event rather than an individual time trial.   

In every Grand Tour race which I have observed since 1986, the opening event is a prologue consisting of an individual time trial.  

In that discipline, it is every man for himself, not in teams.  

In cycling parlance it is contre le montre, the race of truth.  

The purpose is to find the rider to lead out the race in the leader’s jersey on day 1 proper.

The total number of volunteers reported to be 1,200.   

We have been issued with a special tee-shirt, a white hoodie and pink high visibility bib - all emblazoned in pink letters proclaiming Giro Volunteer.   

Clearly optimism reigns given the absence of a cape to keep out the real rain. 

None of this matters, however, as the initial gathering of marshals generates an atmosphere of great excitement.  Everybody feels privileged to be part of something extra-special.   

This anticipation seems confirmed when the city’s first citizen, who has entered into the spirit of the occasion by dying his hair pink, comes to acknowledge the contribution of volunteers.

My position in the 21.7k stage is 1100 metres from the finish line, on the edge of Shaftsbury Square. 

  

This downhill approach to the city centre from Queens University is just the point where teams will be racheting up the tempo, applying maximum effort to save valuable seconds as the finish line nears.   

Approach to City Hall

Team Colombia, first to start

I later realise that the crowds are, unsurprisingly, much greater with each metre towards the City Hall finish line.
The Australian team Orica Greenedge win in a time just inside 25 minutes.

It is also only later that I see on the late night TV news that Dan Martin, a contender for a podium finish and the Irish team leader of the American squad Garmin-Sharp has had a horrific accident.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/27349546

Saxo-Tinkoff team leader Nicolas Roche sitting two places behind team -mates

Earlier joy is replaced with a sinking feeling. Dan's Giro is now over.

The vagaries of sport.

But there is no time to dwell on misfortune, as tomorrow sees the start of the Giro proper with a stage through areas of outstanding scenic beauty.

That should raise spirits again.

©Michael McSorley 2014