More than 3,200 cyclists took part in the inaugural Gran Fondo Giro d'Italia event in Northern Ireland, and while the professional entrants turned heads Dundonald man John McKeag stole the show.
The 93-year-old retired shipyard worker was the oldest participant in the 58km event. He cycled in support of the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children.
“I have caused a bit of a stir here today,” he said. “I finished in around five hours with a couple of stops along the way.”
At the end of his cycle, Mr McKeag, who has previously represented Northern Ireland in running events, enjoyed the Gran Fondo pasta party and a well earned cup of tea at the Titanic Slipways.
“I am privileged to be here today,” he said. “I was born outside Comber in a place called Lisbane and rode 25 miles every day to here for work.
“I hope to be back for next year’s Gran Fondo. Time is running out for me so I will have to stay above ground to be here!”
The race was the first of three legacy events following the 2014 staging of the Giro d’Italia Grande Partenza – Big Start – in Belfast, Armagh and Dublin.
Last year Ireland went pink in honour of the maglia rosa – the leader’s jersey – before riders headed to Italy, where Colombian Nairo Quintana topped the final podium in Trieste.
Among the 2,100 cyclists to complete the Gran Fondo – Big Effort – 173km Mourne route on Sunday was Team Sky's Tasmanian rider Richie Porte.
"It was a nice day, so picturesque out there," he said. "I was surprised at how tough the course was. The Tour de France is in just under two weeks and to be honest this was a really good training ride for me."
Olympian of 1992
It was not a formal race but Belfast man Mark Kane, a 1992 Olympian, won the Gran Fondo, completing the 173km Mourne route in a time of 5.11.14, with his brother Paul following shortly behind in 5.15.58 to claim the runner-up prize.
Of the 1,100 riders to complete the 58km Strangford route Chris McKeown was first across the finish line in a time of 1.50.50, with Keith Murphy runner up at 1.50.55.
Event ambassador Stephen Roche, the 1987 Giro d'Italia winner, was back in the saddle for the 173km ride.
“I haven’t done that sort of mileage in a long time,” he said. “It was hard but there was a great atmosphere and camaraderie rolling along.”
The Shadetree team are hoping to build on the success of this year’s event and attract even more cyclists in 2016. Registration for next year’s Gran Fondo will open in the coming weeks.
Kathryn Thomson, chief operating officer at Tourism Northern Ireland, said being part of the official Gran Fondo series had attracted an international peloton and it hoped to build up to a week-long festival of cycling programme over the next two years.
“There are very few closed road events for amateurs so it give me and the others the chance to cycle in the way professionals do,” she said. “The best thing about today was the number of people lining the route with pink bicycles and pink balloons. “There was a huge Northern Ireland welcome and support for the Gran Fondo.”
