Three-day sportive to celebrate Giro d’Italia’s Irish start (+ video)

In May, the world’s top professional riders will take to the roads of Ireland for the start of the Giro d’Italia. Two weeks later, over the Bank Holiday weekend of My 24-26, it will be the turn of regular riders when the three-day Curadmír Ulster Cycle heads into the hills of Northern Ireland on what organisers say is designed to be toughest route in the British Isles.

A fully supported multi-stage sportive, the ride covers 360 miles in three days through some of the wildest and most remote terrain in Ulster. 

Riders can enter as teams or individuals but organisers expect they will work together to complete the event rather than treat it as a competition (sounds a bit optimistic to us).

The route promises great scenery including the 700m ascent of the Mourne Mountains, the Giant’s Causeway, Ireland’s most northerly point at Malin Head, the Mamore Cap with hairpin gradients of 27%, and the Fermanagh Mountains, where the final hilltop finish will overlook Lough Erne.

The event will have a rolling base camp, with rider villages providing facilities including: tents with mattresses, premium catering, hot showers, physio and massage services and a mechanics’ tent. In the evening riders will be able to relax and recover with comfy seating and live music in the chill-out marquee.

The name Curadmír, in case you’re wondering, means ‘Champion’s Portion’ – the feast awarded to the bravest warriors in the battles of ancient Ireland.

Entry to the Curadmír Ulster Cycle starts from £475 and is open now. If you get in quick, there’s an early bird price of £375 until midday on Monday February 17. See www.curadmir.com for more information.

If the pictures above aren't enough to whet your appetite, here's a wonderfully over-the-top video: