The 2014 Giro d'Italia will start in Belfast on May 10 and make its way through the country with a stop in Armagh before reaching Dublin - the capital city of Ireland. The riders will then transfer directly to Italy for the remainder of the Giro d'Italia. Reportedly both rest days will take place in Italy.

Giro d'Italia race organizer RCS Sport has yet to reveal the exact routes of the three stages taking place in Ireland. A RCS Sport spokesman said the organization is still in negotiations with various towns who have shown interest in welcoming the Giro.

It will be the first time a Grand Tour visits Ireland since it hosted the start of the 1998 Tour de France.

The President of the International Cycling Union (UCI), Pat McQuaid, is Irish.