09/05/2014 Giro d'Italia 2014

Belfast has been transformed into ACL glee and pink. Every statue,

building, almost everyone, proudly showing the colours of the Giro

D'Italia. We are bringing you live coverage of each of the three stages

when the race is in Ireland. Here, on BBC Northern Ireland, starting

with tonight's team time trial. Welcome to the centre of Belfast

where in the shadow of the magnificent City Hall, we will bear

witness of the finished the opening two stages. Alongside me, to share

the colour and atmosphere, one of the greatest ever cyclists to come

out of this part of the world, Michael Hutchinson. It is fitting

that he is with us as he is a time trial specialist. The buzz has been

extraordinary. So many people. Such atmosphere, such pleasure. You grew

up on the streets, riding your bike. Did you ever believe that you would

see something like this, grand tour coming to Belfast. What would it

mean to Northern Ireland? It is extraordinary. It feels as if

someone has delivered the world's second greatest cycle race to the

wrong place. It feels like it does not belong here but it is so

positive for cycling as a sport and a past time, as a hobby. It has got

everyone so excited about it. Everyone is talking about bikes and

riding bikes. A wonderful crowd on the streets already. Kevin Andrews

is amongst them. We are on the finish line. The

riders will come past us. Some fans have been waiting all day. The

photographers are ready. Some of the riders are coming past. There is a

great seat up there if you want it. Over the evening, we will hear from

some of the riders and hopefully some local celebrities. The only bad

thing is the weather. I think everybody in Belfast is aware of the

scale of the event. Over the last few days, thousands of come into the

city. We have had the teams and their entourage, hundreds of media

covering this race. It will be broadcast to 175 countries around

the world. For anybody unsure of the race's significance, you is an

overview. -- here is. The Giro D'Italia is one

of cycling's three grand tours. They each take three weeks and run over

21 stages. There are 22 teams with nine riders in each team. The winner

of the race is a writer with the lowest aggregate time for completing

all stages. Throughout the race, the currently dirt where is the famous

pink jersey, one of the most iconic emblems in world sport. The nine

riders do different jobs. Each team will have a leader, the best

all-round rider Michael will try to win the overall race. The others

help the leader by carrying food and drink, shielding him from the wind,

so that he can conserve energy. The overall race is won by someone who

can do a bit of everything, covering breaks, time trialling, and riding

in high mountains. But other specialists compete for stage wins,

in high mountains. But other a stages element of every grand

tour. Each stage is different. The latter stages are won by sprinters.

Every team will have one of these, an expose of rider protected by his

team-mates until a few hundred yards from the finish when he will be

unleashed to sprint against the other fast men trying to win the

stage. The sprinters compete for their own jersey, won by the rider

who has picked up the most sprint points. The best mountain climber

also has a jersey, a blue jersey, to fight for.

also has a jersey, a blue jersey, to fight Electively, the 198 riders are

known as the peloton and they are bunched together on the road. Expect

to see the race favourites tucked away in there safely for most of the

stages. On each stage, a small group of riders will race away early from

the peloton, forming a breakaway. They will try to stay clear for the

race but the collective strength will usually catch them before the

end. Since the race was conceived in 1909 as a means of promoting

Italy's famous pink sports newspaper, it has become a true icon

of world sport. It attracts the very best cyclists in the world and a

global television audience of around 690 and people. Each year, the race

covers a different route and every other year, it starts outside of

Italy. This is the first time it has ever started outside continental

Europe. That is the trophy the winner will

left on the 1st of June after 3500 kilometres of racing. Vincenzo

Nobilo lifted at last year but he is not here this year. We have a

stellar cast list, though. Unfortunately, we do not have

Vincenzo Nibali, but we have horrific riders. We have three Irish

riders who got a fantastic reception for the team presentation last

night. Ben Swift is the only British rider. We have a lot of terrific

talent here. Some of the best names in cycling. And the favourite, Nairo

Quintana, the Colombian, such a star last year. He was a real revelation

of the Tour de France last year. He took the most of his chance. He

wrote aggressively, even for a Colombian. Time trialling is not

usually good for Colombians but he is really a hot favourite. And such

a popular character. Very much so. He is a smart, interesting guy. I

think he is pretty popular. What about the big Spanish challenge?

Joaquim Rodriguez. 35 on Monday. Ten years older than Ken Tanner, but

certainly he will fancy his chances. He was third last year, so here's

part of that quality of riders that are here. But last year, he was very

much a following rider. He was not aggressive and he did not attack. If

he wants to take this, he will have to take the race by the scruff of

its neck. We do not have a Chris Froome, last year's Tour de France

winner, he is building up to the tour and choosing not to write.

Bradley Wiggins is in California, and Mark Cavendish is not here

either, he is in California. But one of the big names we have, Cadel

Evans of Australia, writing for PMC. He is a popular writer. He won

the tour in 2011 but he is 37 now, even older than Rodriguez. But he

has been extraordinarily well this spring. He is in good form. I think

he is someone you would not want to overlook at the age of 37. He

probably has the strongest team in the race behind him. And some things

improve with age. Absolutely. We say that you cannot win the Giro

D'Italia in the opening days, but you do not want to lose it here.

Before the race is finished, maybe one of the GC contenders will have a

bad time. Obviously, the streets are slippery and it is not impossible

that you could get a crash around the corner. You could have a -- it

could have an influence on the outcome. You mentioned the Irish

riders taking part. Who has the best chance, do you think, in the general

race? It would began Martin. At the minute. -- B Dan Martin. The team

and not decided on a single leader yet. Dan would be one of the guys in

that team who might be able to take on the leaders role. If he does, he

would have a good chance of an overall result. Let's skip to the

first stage of the Giro D'Italia. 22 teams in the race, each racing

against the clock. They go off at five minute intervals around the

course of 27, trips. Time trialling is a specialist discipline. And

Michael is one of the best in the business.

It is the simplest by grace. One rider, one machine, against the

clock. It has been called the race of truth for 100 years, because that

is what it is. -- bike race. In 18 time trial, each team races

alongside. The riders take turns in setting the pace. The time is taken

from the fifth rider across the line.

The art of time trialling is feeling the edge of what you can do and what

you cannot. You have to learn to do that. It is about riders who can

produce a high level of output for a long time. They can settle down to a

strong rhythm and write fast. The position is different. The bike is

lower, more compact. You are not as agile. It is for going very fast, in

straight lines. It is about getting low and narrow. You will see time

trialists would narrow shoulders and low heads, captain as compact as

they can get. It is the simplest possible by grace with the least

amount of technology. You were a skin suit for time trialling, which

will probably save you a couple of seconds a mile. If you were an

aerodynamic helmet, it will save you as much as a second. You will wear

rubber shoes over normal cycling shoes, which will save you another

second. It all adds up. It is for geeks with heart. If you watch a guy

coming in on the final corner, he knows his numbers to four decimal

places. But he is having to dig deep. And that is the joy of a time

trial. You get a lot for your money if you were at the side of the road

watching the time trial. Of course, you are seeing a team come through

every five minutes. But it is a very specialised discipline. And you can

tell, even to the uneducated eye, if a team is going well, and when

things are not going well, because it is like watching a team shoot in

the velodrome. If they are in formation, you can tell that they

are getting the most out of it. You can see from the tight formations,

who is getting it right and wrong. And it is critical. Because you are

right on the edge. But because you are riding with others, if you push

to deep, you can not slow down. Some of the riders here will be writing

for the first time at a big event because it is not that common a

discipline. It is specialised. And we have seen the teams out earlier

today when the roads were closed, practising formation. But as you

say, many of these riders, certainly those in their first tour, at

perhaps not written in these trials before. -- have perhaps not written.

They are relatively inexperienced, some of the teams. For them, it is a

learning experience to come and ride around a city circuit, which is

always a little bit technical. And possibly for one of the first time

trials of their career. Talking of inexperience, the team from Colombia

were making history to date, rolling down the start ramp in the Titanic

Quarter. This is the nine riders. The first time that the Giro

D'Italia has taken place outside of continental Europe. Magnificent

scenes there. Huge crowds. We have teams that riding these tours, but

this is a national team from Colombia, to bring on young riders.

What a reception for them. A fantastic reception. Connolly are a

well represented nation. It is great that they are using an event like

this to bring on younger riders. Very positive for global cycling.

And Kim Tanner, leading from the front, inspired by him we have many

other riders. Some of them have a great chance. Tashkent Hannah. He

deftly has a chance at this race. -- he definitely. Huge effort goes in

to putting the bikes on the road. A huge effort went into securing this

great race. We have been taking a look behind the scenes and some of

the elements that go into racing and some of the hardest working members

in the backstage of Team Sky. This is Gary, the chief mechanic. Is this

where the hard work is done? This is where we keep the equipment and bike

checks are done inside here in the comfort of our truck. We have good

lighting here so we can work late at night. Currently I am working on Ben

Swift's time trial bike and double checking the measurements. This is

his spare time trial bike. We have measurements of the race TT and now

we are duplicating with this device here. The drawer are full of

equipment. We are stay on the road for over a month. Four mechanics on

a Grand Tour and then we have 27 race bikes that need to be checked

on a daily basis and washed every day. And each rider has two time

trial bikes. It's additional 18 bikes there. During a day we start

about 6. 30am and end between 11.00 and 12 at night for three weeks. You

do have rest days but there's no rest days for the mechanics. Then we

have a chance to really check all the equipment properly. And change

the tyres and so forth. Do the riders like to tinker with the bikes

or do they put their trust in you? They put their trust in us. Some are

more precise than others. You have a rider, let's say Ben Swift, that is

very particular about the sad saddle height. For instance, 77. 2.

Yesterday's bike was 77. 3 and he came back and said it feels too

high. Riders will feel the last millimetre. It's important that we

are precise. Therefore, we have a measuring to duplicate the bikes as

accurate as possible. The technology, there is electronics in

this? Battery here on the frame. You have cables running through. They

can shift on the extensions. They can shift on the handlebars.

Everything is fully electronic. The gears, two buttons here. This will

work the rear, in a time trial in position you will stay and only need

to change gears in the rear. The aim is to hide all the cables for

aerodynamic purposes. We are passionate about it and we all

strive to achieve the best we can. Everybody puts in 100%. The riders

do, the staff do. Unlike the riders you can have a pint in the evening.

Yes, not every day, but yes. It's not good for us, we are not

exercising, so can't drink too much. I love hearing about the attention

to detail and Ben Swift being able to sense a millimetre of difference

in the saddle. Is your chair the right height tonight? It's finely

tuned. It would slow him down. They have to get these things right. A

team like Sky goes through everything. Even to the extent they

take riders pillows to the hotels so they have their own personal pillow.

Everything is looked at. Don't you always take your own pillow?

Absolutely, yes. Let's look at some of the riders and teams back. The

race started earlier today. We saw Colombia. Orica Greenedge are very

much one of the favourites, mainly made up of Australians, there is an

Italian in that team. But a strong team time trial.

This is them coming home in a time of 24. 42. Tremendous.

Let's look at Katusha. A little disappointing. Their time was behind

obviously, 26. 15. A slow time. I wonder if that's because the

conditions were deteriorating? Yeah, conditions have got worse. Orica got

around most of the course on the dry and around the technical sections at

the beginning in the dry. Strong ride there. Let's get to the live

action now to see what's happening out on the road. We can join our

commentary team Dan loid and Carlton Kirby. -- Lloyd.

OK, this looks like Trek coming through. There is Team Sky on the

course now, looking professional indeed. There is the standings at

the moment. This is Team Sky. Looking very well.

In formation and they are out on the course. Looks like a bit of dry road

at this stage. It's clearly dry at the minute where they are. Team Sky

will take this seriously. They probably on this occasion don't have

the strongest possible team. They've a lot of climbers in the team for

the end of the Tour. That's Christopher Sutton at the back. He

was drafted in to this team after Pete Kennaugh had to drop out. They

lost Ritchie Port who was going to be their overall contender and a

week after they lost Peter Kennaugh. They brought Chris in. They're on

the hunt for stage wins. They don't really have an overall prospect.

We should mention Philip Deignan, the Irishman, an Ulsterman but

brought up in Letterkenny, I understand. He is 30 years old. He

has been around a few years. He has ridden in big races before. He will

be relishing this opportunity. It's marvellous to do this kind of event

in what is your home country. A lot of riders from Ireland never get a

chance to ride something like this here. He will be hoping to show well

on the Irish stages. here. He will be hoping to show well

We saw the mechanics with the guys looking at the bikes before the race

in the build-up to this. Gavin was allowed in to see some of that

cutting edge technology and you yourself said looking at team time

trialing you are looking for minute differences that can make all the

difference when it comes to getting the best time on the road. Time

trialing is a very critical discipline and team trialing even

more so. They're looking for every margin they can get. And trying to

keep it a tight formation heading into Stormont. Tease them taking the

drag up to Stormont. Philip Deignan there. This drag up to Stormont, the

driveway there, this is a very flat profile, the route, the 21. 7

kilometres up to that iconic building. It's a slow drag up. If

there is a climb on this time trial course it's there. Well, it's not

that slow. It's reasonably steep but it's short. It's the kind of thing

that isn't going to trouble these riders. Possibly if the climb had

been nearer the end of the course maybe it would have caused more

trouble but it's not going to be an enormous problem for them. But it is

a reasonable climb. Look at these crowds there. They've been building

all day. Thousands of people have been coming in and getting their

places. There is one of these wonderful characters running

alongside the bikes as we have grown to love on these Grand Tours.

Thousands are going to be making their way there all day. Earlier

today our reporter Gavin was up there trying to get a sense of the

occasion. As you can see it's bouncing in the

grounds of Stormont, these kids aren't going to be annoying in a

couple of hours! Lovely. You are in charge of this madness. What's going

on this evening? Well, obviously we are here to support the Giro. The

cycling club will have hundreds of friends and supporters and club

members to celebrate the Giro. Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for

us. Our club colours have always been pink when the club was formed.

This is in honour of the race coming here, it's a fantastic day for the

club and country. Talk us through the outfit. Pink shoes, socks,

trousers, T-shirt, wig, do I need to go on? No thanks. You have left

yourself-respect at the door this morning. -- yourself-respect at the

door this morning. I am worried about my hair. We will get that

straightened. That's Belkin, just finished in 5th

place. That's the team from the Netherlands. They've had mixed

conditions on the roads. Dry at times, but that wind and the rain

just breaking in to the course. The weather certainly playing a role

this evening. It's a lot of wind on the course. It's going to disrupt

things particularly on the more exposed sections near the start.

It's wet roads towards the end of the course. Sky - one of the Sky

riders off the back of the string. That looks like Chris Sutton off the

back of Team Sky. I think he's probably been overextended, probably

pushed too hard. They're getting to the second half of the ride. They

will start to shed one or two riders. The time is taken on the 5th

rider home. You might as well use them and drop them, no point in

bringing all nine riders home if you don't need them. It's the first five

riders, five in the team, that's the time given to the team? The team's

time is taken on the 5th rider. Any riders who don't make it home in

that five will get the time they got on their own. If you are dropped by

the team you can lose time overall on the team time trial. It's why the

top teams will be careful to make sure they get all of their

contenders home. For instance, Katusha will be making sure

Rodriguez gets home. This is one of the five Italian

teams in the race. They'll be well supported when they hit continental

Europe. For the Italian teams it's the biggest race of the year. In

Italy, try telling anyone this is the second biggest race in the

world. For the Italians this is the biggest event of their year. It's

important for them to perform at the top level in their home tour. A lot

of communication between the riders out on the road. They're also

communicating with the team cars following them who support them.

Clearly an issue there. Communication in a team time trial

is critical. If you are struggling you do have to explain you are

struggling. Clearly this is one of the important riders who has been

dropped and they're wait waiting for him. That's why they've the five

riders to get home and you need all your stars in those five. If

somebody gets dropped and there is a lack of communication you end up

with a problem because someone is off the back and somebody at the

front doesn't know. It will be Europcar next, I think. One of the

French teams. We are back on Team Sky. A team who have enjoyed

phenomenal success in the short time of their existence. Yeah, they are

sort of the commercial art reach of the GB track programme. They've

brought attention to detail that they had across to men's

professional road racing. And they've done extraordinarily well.

Only a few seasons' old now. They've done strongly, performed strongly in

nearly all the Grand Tours they've done. Their rate of progress has

been nothing sort of -- short of phenomenal. A well-drilled team, as

well. You see them. This is Cannondale up towards Stormont.

They're out of the saddle pushing hard. They're attacking this. They

have to be careful not to drop is somebody off the back. You could put

distance, if one of their star riders drops off the back it can

create a problem. Once you are out of the string it's almost impossible

to get back in because it will be one of you against eight of them.

Here they are, they're off the ramp right now. Let's hope they go

safely. Also a handy squad.

Appollonio is their spinter. -- sprinter.

If they go well and it's drying off now favouring these late running

teams they can go well. This is a team who should go well and haven't,

Europcar. In the first time check. -- they were way down at the first

time check. They're not going to be setting the race alike. In fact, I'm

not sure what they will be lighting today. It is not grateful at all for

peer Holland. As far as the title is concerned, he may as well be

standing there waving it goodbye. As the crowd screamed them on, a

terrific atmosphere in Belfast. Not a terrific performance by team

Europe car. 10th of ten. That is a lot of time

to lose, two minutes. You can see all the disarray among this French

team. And nobody wanted to talk after the line. Eyes down. They know

that that was bad. It cannot get much worse, they are last at the

moment. Colombia will be doing a rain dance next time. Right now,

Orica-GreenEdge is about everybody. And Tinkoff-Saxo, and Nicole

Roesch, that is fantastic. -- eggless Roesch. A big difference

between Tinkoff-Saxo and Movistar. You would expect Movistar to have

dominated. I think we have already seen it several times. Tinkoff-Saxo

have benefited from the dry conditions. Cannondale having

another nightmare time. They came through the time check 47 seconds

down. There was only one team worse than that, and we saw them a moment

ago. That is the same corner. A dicey moment. They could probably do

with amending that. I've already mentioned that they have looked at

the course multiple times but it is always different when you come in to

race. The conditions, not only, but when you are at race pace, and the

skin suits are on, and the adrenaline is going, you come into

everything quicker than when you are training. It can take you by

surprise, especially if the road is wet. Team Sky, taking one of the

turns to the end... This is the first of the jurors in Belfast. --

tours. Sky approaching the end of their run. Doing a good job between

the first and second test. Ninth place at the moment. Six seconds

down on the leaders. That is the negative split that we were talking

about. Giant Shimano will be all about power. Their leader is a big

unit. He is also desperately good-looking. But not a great time.

I've thought you were going to say that I could not say that! The man

is a God. And his fan base is huge. But as you shall say, this is not

brilliant. We thought the power would deliver but we think the

Skrtel resurface, still wet but drying, has found them out. Marcel

will not be bothered. Simon may be going for a half decent time trial.

But he cannot do it for everyone. Five second is the deficit for Giant

Shimano. Another team not going to threaten the leaders. One of my

favourite teams, from Venezuela. Why is it my favourite? Courtesy of

Gianni Savio. Because the Prince. -- they call him the Prince. It is hard

to say what he looks like until you see him. Imagine a 60s game show

host and you have kind of got it. He is a hell of a character. He has

signed up some great riders. You might say somewhat questionable but

that may be unfair. Johnny hooter land on board, who you may remember

nudging into the riders upfront. He is out there, on the course. Plenty

of stitches. Lampre-Merida do not look like they have taken too much.

26. And they are looking at each other. At least they have broken 50,

but 20 down. And that goes to show how bad the conditions are.

Lampre-Merida, despite their troubles and waiting for their

leader, based ill beat the Russian team by 13 seconds. A really poor

start for Rodriguez. I wonder what the issue was today. We will find

out. I was about to speculate whether even tyre pressure would

have been an issue. I'm not looking to blame anyone but they have had a

lousy run. Orica-GreenEdge, on the other hand, brilliant. But they were

blessed with an early run on changeable conditions. The road is

still damp and giant Shimano do not look too happy. And just look at

their protected rider's size. He is a powerhouse when it comes to

sprinting and he is the man to beat at the moment. He is head and

shoulders of many of the sprinters in the world. He has had the better

of Mark Cavendish this year twice. He could become part of a select

group of riders, kettle. -- Kittel. He is a tall man. Probably about six

foot four. Him and Taylor Finney standing next to one another, they

are in the clouds. Ag2r are on the up into their run, approaching the

eight minute mark. Their number 11 man, he has some good grounds to

credentials. I expect he might well do very well here. But it comes down

to this as well. If you were going to get yourself into a position of

advantage, why not grab it is today? We have a great course here, and

Sky, for example, have had some very dry sections. This could play into

the hands of teens like BMC Racing. It will be about 12 minutes before

they hit our screens. You know what we were saying about management,

Team Sky are such good leaders. They knew what they had to do today. And

that was produce a smooth and efficient performance. It looks like

the more ragged, to say the least, with team Cannondale. They do not

look like they are 18. It is a section of individuals. -- they are

a team. Like Team Sky, they have not done too badly between the first and

second checks. They were way down. About 17 seconds down, on Team Sky,

who we see approaching the finish. The Norwegian rider, leading the

Team end. Last year, his contract was spoken about ending, so he will

look to do very well over the next few weeks. This is a very good time.

Team Sky had some rain. But Tinkoff-Saxo are their target. I do

not think they will get quite there but they have done a superb run.

They started off in the rain, and Dorothy Greenidge were blessed with

better conditions. It is drying up now and we will start to see better

runs. They are going to beat Movistar's time. 51.4 kilometres per

hour. They were not the quickest in the first part of because. We were

talking about negative splits. That was perfectly executed. I think the

put together an impressive ride. They started with wet roads. To only

concede 30 seconds, I think that is a job well done for the British

want. Only 12 seconds behind Saxone. -- Tindell Saxone.

That puts Team Sky in third place, possibly with the worst of the

conditions of the main contenders. That is an impressive ride. Slippery

roads, and not a Team that is really set up with a view to the time

trial. If you look at the other teams, some of them have been

targeting this event from the beginning, so they have a group of

climbers. And Team Sky, have done a good Team trial, but that is

something they have clearly taken seriously. They have done the best

they can. Tomorrow, it will be interesting to see who will be

wearing the pink jersey when they take on the second stage. At the

moment, it looks like the Orica-GreenEdge Team contained the

likely candidate. They have been preparing for this for some time.

Ballamoney is home to the biggest fan of two. We have prepared a Tiger

alley, where we are commemorating the greatest cyclists. We're doing a

family fun day. We will have a raw deal boule, a bouncy castle, tents,

this will be the place to be. You are really up for this! I am in. I

am so excited! As a real enthusiast, what does this

mean to you? I'm over 50 and have dreamt all my life of seeing this.

To have it on my doorstep in Ballamoney, it is awesome.

Meanwhile, at the castle, The MacDonald clan are welcoming the

Giro D'Italia to the Causeway Coast. We will grant them safe passage. We

have set up five horse riding events at Ballamoney because it is part of

the territory. The theme is that all of the horse riders are escorting

the Giro D'Italia cyclists passed each of the castles and monuments.

As for the pink horrors... Will it not distract the cyclists? Good

question, good question. But pretty girls always the -- attracted the

fellas. It is great writing it pink horse. Why have to be fast enough to

beat the cyclists. I will try. -- I have to be.

So there will be ponies and parties right around the north coast but

this could be the place to be to watch the racing on Saturday. The

hills on the route, and as you can see, it might slow the riders down.

But do you know what we could do without? This.

The one thing you can't control is the weather. The Giro d'Italia is no

stranger to bad weather. Last year the riders faced horrific

conditions. It was Armageddon last year, much worse than anything

they're going to see in Northern Ireland. It's amused me this year,

all the riders and team directors talking about the weather in

Northern Ireland, the weather and the rain. Whatever they get, last

year in Italy was far worse T rained for almost the entire tour last

year. Exactly. I think there was snow on occasions and all sorts.

There we go. Here is Cannondale coming in now, we

will go back to our commentators. It's a very good time. They may not

have the smoothest style but it pays. Look at this. They're going to

beat Movistar who started today as one of the favourites. It proves

that drying conditions, we are seeing faster times, we are back up

there. They did well. Over 20 seconds behind Movistar at the first

time check after eight kilometres. They've had a great second part of

this race. But as we have already been saying things are starting to

dry over the last few corners so that will make a difference. BMC

will be overjoyed if it continues to stay dry and the sun might even come

out, because that will really help them. Five minutes before BMC leave.

It's going to be Aussie joy today, you just feel it. Cadel Evans may

well push them very close here. Orica had part of their run in the

wet. It's now almost entirely dry. So yeah, it might be scary

performance a little bit later on. We shall see. It's going to be

fascinating, that's for sure. Team Giant Shimano and Garmin Sharp. Will

there be joy for Dan Martin today? Well, I think he will be happy to

limit his losses, quite hard to get out of Dan Martin whether he is

focussing more on the GC or looking to stage wins. A few can go into

that group of riders who have won a stage in all three of the Grand

Tours. Never finished inside the top ten overall before, but perhaps this

year with the extra motivation of the race starting in Ireland he may

be able to do that. Let's hope so. Thank you for those of you who have

written in on Twitter, there is a load of you. We will spare you some

of our thoughts, or take some of your questions in a moment. Check

this out, it's the same corner. He did a good job of getting to safety.

His calf muscles are exceptional. Marcel is a big unit. A big bloke. A

lot of these cyclists, you look on the television screens and I

remember when I first started racing against professionals, more often

than not they look smaller in real life than when I was watching on TV,

actually Marcel is big in stature in all ways but doesn't seem to hold

him back. Bonnie has written in, she describes Marcel as swoon-worthy.

Calm down! You will see his magnificent hairdo later when he

takes his helmet off. This may change, because conditions are

drying. I am looking at the screen now and as they head towards

Stormont, Garmin Sharp at the moment, are they experiencing

wetness as well? It's party time here in Belfast. If you are

wondering why this Ireland is so green, it's because it gets plenty

of water. We had some earlier on today. Unfortunately, for some of

the teams it hampered them. Big losers so far is Team Katusha and it

was a shame for them. Some early guys went off in dry conditions and

then it rained. Right now the course is drying. It's paying great favour

towards those who are on the end of the timetable today. Last team to go

will be Neri Sottoli. BMC we are waiting for. Orica Greenedge are the

benchmark setters so far. Some teams have gone very well, including Team

Sky in a partially wet run and Cannondale. This is BMC. This is the

team of Cadel Evans. He is, of course, a Grand Tour winner and he

is here to do some serious damage to everybody else. I reckon this team

of which is a good time trialing team, could actually have a party. I

think they're going to put in a good time in this trial today. Giant

Shimano coming in to the finish. It's the 5th rider across the line

who will stop the clock. Not a bad time. 5th place looks... Just lost a

couple of places there over the lost 100 metres. Going back to BMC, I

think they'll be very happy that things have started to dry up. They

took the team time trial victory at another event. That's a team full of

confidence. Brent, one of two Americans within this team, but this

morning took a tumble whilst practising the course, not actually

on the course. They headed back to the start and he hit one of these

bollards. Luckily unhurt. Talking about Americans, John Bolton

has written in, have a great Giro, guys. Thank you, John. Good that we

are, if you are listening to us, you are joining a world party, I might

add. We are down under, as well. We are across in the United States. We

are in South Africa. We are around the Pacific rim and of course we are

in Northern Ireland. And Belfast, it may be damp and chilly, but the

warmest of welcomes. I can't remember a day that's been just so

well-celebrated. It's always great when the Giro for any Grand Tour

starts outside the country. So many people waiting for it for so long.

It's great when it arrives and you fans enjoying things.

Staying with Bardiani in a team time trial when the 5th rider crosses

does the team get the same time? No, only those riders ahead of him and

the 5th man, if they're in the same bunch they all get the 5th man time.

If there is any gap, in other words, if you are dropped rider, you get

your individual time. However, if there are gaps, let's say, within

that lead five, they have to wait until the 5th man crosses the line

and then those ahead of that 5th man and any that happen to be stuck on

his back wheel gets the same time. Everybody else gets their unique

time which is a big deficit for some guys especially if you get shipped

out early. It looks like they're riding into sunshine. The ultimate

time won't be pleasurable for them. 16th at the first time check, 48

seconds down. Haven't reached the second time check. They have already

lost a huge chunk of time already today. Dan Edwards is accusing me of

screaming. Dan, this is jazz club compared to what's going to come.

There will be plenty of screaming tomorrow. We have, of course, sprint

sprinting Belfast out and back again. I hope the weather does cheer

up for us because there's spectacular scenery up to the

Giant's Causeway. Then we are heading for Dublin. And the first of

three rest days and then we start in Italy and then we will be hitting

the mountains the next day. We have some serious climbing here. Serious

contender has to be that man. Riding for Team Sky last year. Uran, after

Wiggins going out through injury, ran second over overall. He is now

the team leader of this squad. They Off the ramp and away they go. I

like this team. This is a team I like. Whether they'll like the

course, I think they probably will. AG2R are going to hit above their

weight because of conditions. They'll be pleased with their time

today. Still a number of riders left for the 5th place. I think again the

team that's not really noted for their team time trial capabilities

are going to be pleased with that. They're ahead of the likes of Trek

Factory Racing. Katusha having a horrendous time today. Rodriguez one

of the favourites, the big loser so far. We said you can't win it, but

you can lose it. Apologies for the temporary fault.

We have now regained control of the Giro d'Italia.

Just overlapping the wheel! I think it was Dan Martin the first to

crash. Oh, no! That's it. Reaching out for it, grasping at it. This is

disaster. It was a drain cover. I don't know

whether it started off the skittle. He certainly went down very, very

hard indeed. Worse than that, he stayed down. Back on the bike is

Nathan Hass. Well, everybody is look looking concerned. This is the

reason why. Dan Martin is still on the deck. That's the end of any

ambitions he has had for the GC. We just hope that he can continue

within the race. Right now he looks in a bad place. We can't see him on

the screens. That's the sports director of course looking extremely

concerned. It could not have got off to a worse start for this team. We

have one rider with a pedal missing actually at the moment, as you can

see. That looks like a - explain the position of the rider. Here he is.

Dan Martin. He is clearly feel feeling for the collarbone. I think

that's it. Oh, I just don't know what to say really. After so many

months of preparation, mental and physical and in the first 15 minutes

end up like that, is just horrible to see. Too many riders went down,

if you are wondering why they're still riding with damaged bikes,

they didn't have enough bikes essentially. They handed them all

out. You can't compete on a bike that's mis-sized for you. Dan

Martin, if you are just joining us, is on the deck. It looks like a

broken collarbone. He is in no hurry to get up. He knows the gravity of

the situation. . What a shame for Dan Martin. They've

regathered themselves, they're getting the news through on big

screens for them to see proceedings. They will not have liked the sight,

who would, of Dan Martin hitting the deck. It was eight terrain, a drain

cover. They have all had to deal with that. But it seemed to just

chucked out to one side. -- a drain. He went down hard on his left

hand side. We will get back to them in a moment. One minute and 14

seconds down, 10th at the moment. But the Team that will be last, I'm

afraid, is Garmin-Sharp. Apologies for the break-up with the

pictures. But while we were away, some drama on the course involving

Garmin-Sharp. But the show you what happened. On a straight piece of

road, the riders were in great position, a very professional

outfit. Of course, this was Dan Martin's Team, one of the three

Irish riders. And we have spoken about how the rain has affected this

race. And I think what happens here, it looks like a drain cover

just takes the wheel. And four riders fell, including, hugely

disappointing, Dan Martin. He is holding his left clavicle, or his

elbow. It looks like he has done serious damage to his elbow. The

Portuguese rider, Nathan Hass, also down. And they are already down to

eight. This happened just a couple of seconds ago. An absolute disaster

for Garmin-Sharp, left with only four riders are bright. So this is

the end of any kind of hopes in the race for any of the riders. But the

big issue, the big story, is that Dan Martin went down first,

extremely hard. And he was left lying on the road looking like a

rider with a broken collarbone. The collarbone is a regular injury and

riders know when they have done it. He went down very hard. Desperately

unlucky. It looks like he caught the drain cover and of course, it would

be very greasy. Remember what happened to Dan before. It was one

of the big one-day races and he was in a great position coming into the

final sprint. And he went down on a small patch of oil, very hard. He is

really not having much luck at the minute. And these time trial bikes,

when one goes, they are very difficult to manoeuvre. They are

quite rigid. It is not as easy to handle. You are tucked up low. You

have not got your hands on the brakes. You are not thinking about

sharp manoeuvres. When something goes wrong, they all go down. And

the riders who stayed upright went on, but they are having to wait for

their team-mates. But the team did not have enough bikes. They have

clearly damaged the right hand pedal, you can see, just to get to

the finish. They were left there for so long, trying to get sorted out,

that other teams came past them. We're not talking about losing a

minute or two, we're talking about the loss of an enormous amount of

time. It is a horrible thing to see. And you feel so helpless. It they

will have spent months getting ready for this. Months of preparation and

it all disappears in the blink of an eye. Dan Martin's Giro d'Italia may

have lasted less than 20 minutes. That is not something anyone

deserves. Well, we will keep you updated with what is happening on

the course. This is the last team about to start, coming down the

ramp. This is the 22nd team to come out on the road, and I'd imagine

that all of the information is being relayed to all the teams. Look, it

is wet out there and there are patches where it might be greasy.

Just be careful. We have had a shower evening and some of the debts

of road are dry. Everybody has to deal with the same conditions. You

have to deal with what you get because it is an open road. The

riders are used to this random element but whether these riders

know that Garmin-Sharp has gone down, I not sure. The referee will

know but he will be telling them to be careful. The Director will want

to know what has happened because he has radio contact with the riders.

He can tell them when they need to press on. There are the Garmin-Sharp

riders, still operate. Five of them there, we are pleased to say,

finishing and coming back. But they will have a very poor time. Let's

get back to commentary. We're looking at Garmin-Sharp,

hobbled team. When we said the result would be favourable, we're

talking about them not being thrown off the race because of exceeding

the time limits. We're trying to count how many riders are remaining.

BMC Racing, two of their riders crashed in training. That was the

first to be distanced in the race quite early on. 16 and a half

minutes so far. The time for them, 17 minutes and 37 seconds. I think

BMC will be up towards 18 minutes when they come through. So, Cadel

Evans has a great chance today. I think the field is being thinned

down, either by accident or by lack of efficacy when it comes to team

time trial on. Rodriguez started amongst the top four for this title

and has been hobbled by an appalling team time trial. Cadel Evans cannot

measure himself against Quintana. Movistar have had a good run, fifth

quickest. But they had the best of the teams that contain the main

contenders. Don't forget, huge gaps get thrown up. Garmin Sharp are

coming through and the crowd know what has happened. Some of them are

looking for Dan Martin, looking in vain. It will be a huge

disappointment for some of the people here, who maybe do not know

exactly what has happened. I would say that the tour is very much over

for them. No confirmation about Dan Martin, but he will be out of this

year's Giro d'Italia, I am afraid. Let's look at their average read.

Listen to the roar of the cloud. -- the roar of the crowd. Gladiators,

all of them. 28 minutes given away. That would be it for the challenge

if it was not for the break. News from the course. Team BMC have

come through the second time check ten seconds down on the leaders.

They are closing in on the Australian squad. And this could be

a lot closer than we were expecting after we sought Orica's time. --

after we saw. This is Astana. We asked them and

that is the correct way to pronounce the name. They sent that is what

they are called so that is what we are calling them. Heading towards

the first intermediate time check. I've reckon they will go well. And

this will be good news for Scarponi. And a Spaniard, if yields on and

does not do what Anton did, getting dropped by the Movistar team early

on. He was expected to go well in the mountains but he will not be a

challenger for the title. Should anything happen to Quintana, as has

happened to Dan Martin, let's not wish that on anyone, Anton would

have been the default to take over the team principal role. Let more

pressure -- yet more pressure on Quintana. Can he take it? This team

might looks like a laundry accident. Last team, out the opening day. The

first of the grand Tours, Belfast, our home and hospital destination,

if you happen to be Dan Martin. Leaden skies, and here we are. Not

sure who that is coming through. Certainly not Dan Martin, who we

believe is taking no further part in the race. Everybody is

disappointed, including us. Why was looking forward to see them. And

party any, coming towards the end. -- Bardiani. And they will be going

for individual stage victories. No juicy contenders, I am afraid, among

them. 30 seconds down in eighth place, but

low Orica-GreenEdge. One more team to come through. That is Neri

Sottoli, we are not expecting to be in contention.

Astana, still running. And in the dry, I guess there's a lot of talk

about diesel particles in this part of the world. Tends to be the

favourite fuel in this part of the world. We have not had huge

downpours, so you tends to get a scooter resurface when there is

light drizzle. BMC Racing, in the red. The man who will be feeling in

the pink is Cadel Evans, in the red helmet. Very handy for us to pick

him out. And Cadel Evans is going to have a birthday present here, not

that he would want to wish ill on anybody, certainly the injury that

Dan Martin has suffered other the news that Quintana and Rodriguez

have had difficulty, EMC are clearly going to push Orica-GreenEdge's

time. -- BMC. The time will not be too bad. We have mentioned

Scarponi. But they have a young rider, Fabio Aru, who was very

impressive last year. One year on, one you're more experienced. I think

perhaps he could do something special. I mean top ten overall. It

will be interesting to see. Here comes BMC. In their pomp. Just go

for it buys, that is the call. -- boys. They have done well to get

back into the fray. Cadel Evans at the front, and it may well be he who

is allowed to take the line. He is a man who will function brilliantly in

the mountains. He has thrilled as a rider ever since he was a young man.

Approaching the end of the run. They are going to have fun here. 900

metres to go. Look at this time! The target time is 24 minutes and 42

seconds and I think Cadel Evans will feel like a very happy Antipodean at

the end of today. We thought that perhaps Nicholas Roach was going to

be the best place rider at the end of today but it looks like it is

going to be the Australian, Cadel Evans, winner of the Tour de France

in 2011 and 30 last year -- third here last year. The last turn. 250

metres from the line. It may not be good enough to beat Orica-GreenEdge

but it will push them close. Very tight indeed. 150 metres or so to

go. It is going to be second place for BMC but among the GC boys, they

will be the daddies. And Cadel Evans as done an absolutely amazing time,

as had his team. They have happy blessing of the weather, all right,

but nonetheless, that was impressive. It certainly was and

they will be extremely pleased with that time today. A lot of time that

Evans has put into his work has been in this race. More than some of his

rivals, including Rodrigues, who was 18 seconds down on Evans overall. A

lot of Cadel fans out there. Good time trialing from BMC and from

Cadel Evans. That's a super effort. First blood to Cadel in the race for

the overall. He has a significant advantage over Rodriguez now, more

than a minute in front of him. Particular Particularly the team

time trial is not one of the BMC focuses. Orica were focussed on then

stage. BMC came with the riders they've got. It shows not only is

Cadel in great shape but the team is, as well. He will be very, very

pleased going to bed tonight. He is a great individual time trialer with

that crouched position low on the bike. Yeah, there is a long

individual time trial in the middle of the Giro, a long flattish

individual time trial which Cadel will be well placed for. You would

expect him to get the best time there, as well. Even one day into

the Giro d'Italia it's beginning to look good at the moment for Cadel

Evans. All the climbs in the last week of the race it can go wrong but

for the moment he will be content with his day's work. A good day for

him, not such a good day for Dan Martin. Disappointing to see him

come down and nurse that shoulder and according to the commentary,

when we heard from Carlton in commentary that Dan is out of the

race, hugely disappointing. I feel desperate for Dan Martin. You

prepare for these events for a long time. This has been a focus to come,

the Giro d'Italia, on home soil with a strong team. It's something that

he will have been working to for many weeks, months now. For it all

to end as adruptly as that and the way it did -- abruptly, and to make

it worse being the firs rider down, it's not really his fault -- first.

It's not the way you want the day to end. I feel desperate for him. He

came down on Newtownards Road. It's actual actually on Upper Newtownards

Road where one of the great personities of cycling --

personalities of cycling has a shop and were having a party today. Hard

to beat this. It's all happening here! It's the place to be. Let's go

and find Dave. He was working on this bike. Dave,

did you imagine when you got this shop running years ago the Giro

d'Italia will be going past the front door? It's fantastic for the

cycling community. For Northern Ireland, as well, for the economy,

for tourism, spectacular. Brilliant. All the big names in cycling have

been to see you when they've been here. Kelly and Roche and the German

pursuit champion was in. It's all happening. You are a legend. It's a

family steeped in cycling tradition. Mark is at the shop, busy. Mark, we

will take you away from the customers. Can you believe it's

here, it's all happening outside the front of the shop. It's incredible.

This morning the taster we got with the practice laps and the crowd and

the atmosphere was just unbelievable. Still don't think it's

sunk in. In 2008 I went over to the Dolomites watching and when we past

a bike shop, it was ten kilometres from the finish, on the window he

had a sign saying closed. Don't think you would see that in our shop

and now it's coming past the door. Can you believe the buzz in Belfast?

It's incredible how everybody's got into the Giro and it's building up

that this evening will make for a big party. It wouldn't be the same

without a few buns. Jill, I will save you one, but not this one!

Very nice indeed. Let's get back to the action.

. The line beckons. They might get

second ahead of BMC. Here we go. There it is.

They do by a margin of two seconds. Five seconds down on Orica

Greenedge. I think they'll take that. They probably will do. Omega

Pharma-Quickstep. Terrific that we have a good performance by Evans BMC

team. They worked for that. Perhaps more than you think. It's not their

A-Team as far as team more than you think. It's not their

concerned. I think they took a step above themselves there. They

certainly did. I was not thinking they were going to finish mid-pack

by any means, but they lacked the likes of Mark Cavendish. I thought

they might struggle to be up there with the big guns today but they've

proved me wrong. Maybe it's the weight of expectation. They decided

to match it. This is Astana, looking slightly ragged. They've about four

minutes of their run to go. Neri Sottoli will finish today. It's been

a dramatic day. Plenty to talk about and plenty to hide your eyes,

because unfortunately, if you are just joining us and wondering how

Dan Martin has done, he has done a collarbone. Ne Sottoli -- Neri.

Almost into the sunshine. The gloom is starting to lift at the end of

today. We had some performances, I guess in terms of the overall sort

of near tragedies today, thank Heavens that everyone is OK but it's

a broken collarbone we believe for Dan Martin. That corner is an

absolute nightmare. There's been several of them. At least they got

around that reasonably cleanly! That was, for me anyway, a sharp intake

of breath. I wasn't expecting him to get around that. It's a very

experienced squad. Experience and youth, you might say. They start

with Scarponi. He is always consistent. It's a squad that can do

a lot of things over the next three weeks especially in the mountains.

Do you have to drive the climbs here and Astana doing a good job. Neri

Sottoli are down to six already. There is a burden of going last, you

know what you have to do and where you are likely to feature. Right

now, unfortunately, the main feature is the fact that they are

diminishing with every pedal stroke, it looks like. Yeah, as we said, as

they roll down the start ramp, the last team to do so today, they

aren't at all at the top of things when we come to think of teams that

might do well in the team time trial. The order of depart for those

who have joined us, is ran dam. They pick names -- random. They pick

names out of the hat. We haven't had a big climax, but we have with those

teams pushing Orica. These last two teams I don't think are going to

come close. I don't think they will. They'll have a go. One thing has

been constant, it's been the warmth of the welcome. It's been terrific

to see the crowds just unconcerned, it seems, by the rain that has

fallen. It's a dry run for those going off, but I am afraid for the

likes of Neri Sottoli it's not going to help their cause much today. Some

great racing nonetheless against the clock. Astana coming to the end of

their run, it's not going to be a bad one. They'll be reasonably

pleased with the time they'll put in today. The big winners from today,

we talked about Orica Greenedge, but in terms of the GC rides, Evans and

Uran looking very strong after one day of racing. Uran the best of all

the GC riders if you dis discount Santori.

150 metres for Astana, it's going to be outside the top five for them, I

believe. Team Sky going off in damp conditions. Astana on a dry run not

getting as close as Sky on a mixed run, wet and dry. And we are not

talking sandpaper. So, it's one more team still to come. Neri Sottoli,

five more minutes before they hit the line. Well, we know our result

because I have to tell you that they're not going to set the world

on fire, despite the brightness of their jerseys. Astana just across

the line. 6th place there. 38 seconds down on the leaders. They'll

be pretty pleased with their time. It puts them ahead of a number of

key rivals. But so many stages still to come. Anything can happen. There

will be a few pleased people and a few extremely disappointed people at

the end of today. I am intrigued to listen to the reaction of Rodriguez

at the end of today's stage. No disrespect to Neri Sottoli but it

gives us an opportunity to talk about tomorrow. It's going to be

wet, we are praying that's not the case. It's going to be a pleasure

hopefully. Same finish line as today, from a different direction.

Normally it should be a bunched sprint finish, depends on how much

wind there is. Looking at the wind direction earlier I decided that

it's not too likely to split up on stage two, whether the same can be

said for stage three I am not sure. Forecast for Sunday gusty winds as

they head south and south-east. We could see some echelon.

They're all right. They got awhich with that. -- away with that. I

reckon that tomorrow with a ten-second bonus at the line he has

to fancy being in that leader's jersey. I think so, yeah. Michael

Matthews, two stage wins last year. He only has to finish ahead of his

team-mates tomorrow, which he will do as they'll be leading him out for

the sprint finish. What an experience that will be for the

young Australian. There he is looking very happy with himself with

his pierced and diamond-studded ears, I believe they're diamonds!

Well, they're talking about the chase being on right now. There's

still one team on course. But it's all done and dusted. I think I might

bid you farewell at the moment and head down to see the Australian team

and hopefully get an interview with the director and also Sven. Dan,

thanks. He will take his leave. Thank you to all of you who have

joined us on Twitter today. It's been a pleasure to have your

company. Don't forget you can send us your thoughts post-race and

indeed throughout this Giro d'Italia. Yes, Dan Martin, sadly,

without of the Giro d'Italia with a broken collarbone. Orica Greenedge

had a mission today and mission accomplished.

Meanwhile, Neri Sottoli, no disrespect whatsoever, but their

time is not going to set the world on fire. There we are, they'll be

taking this turn. They've been blessed with a dry run, so this may

well flatter them ever so slightly. Starting tomorrow we have three

sprint stages. Then we climb. An old Monday astroery was rebuilt --

monastery. Some of the performances today have been. It's not only about

setting your rhythm, it's about having the focus to turn your mind

away from the weather and on to the rigours of team time trialing, we

have seen terrific performances today. Final bend with 300 to go.

They'll open up the taps in the run for the line. 200 metres. The men in

yellow finishing their run and drawing the opening stage of this

97th Giro d'Italia to a close. Plenty more still to come, of

course. 20 more stages in the run. Belfast has been our glorious start

to this first of the Grand Tours. And indeed first team at the top of

the real-time screens. Orica-GreenEdge take over the Kings

seat. And they have not been dislodged. They are the leaders and

we will be speaking to the birthday boy, the Canadian within that

largely Australian team. He will have the pink jersey. Dan Lloyd is

heading down to have a chat with some of those who have been blessed

today, it's fair to say. And there is confirmation thereof the result.

Orica-GreenEdge with a time of 24 minutes and 42 seconds. Mike Farmer

quickstep did a great job to get close to them. BMC and Cadel Evans

in third place. Tinkoff-Saxo fourth ahead of Team Sky. Astana are in

sixth place. Cannondale and Movistar can feel aggrieved. 55 seconds down.

Quintana has imagined decline, quite literally. He needs to go well. He

needs to find 55 seconds if he is going to get the better of Rigoberto

Uran. There are the time trial standings. Some big gaps. All were

down to Lotto-Belisol and Garmin Sharp. The sad news is that Daniel

Martin is out of the Giro d'Italia. Saint aft is our leader in the

overall standings. -- Svein Tuft. But Michael Matthews, if he wins the

sprint stage tomorrow, it would be hard to get against him. He only

needs to beat his team-mates. He may not win the day that might be Marcel

can tell. -- Quintana. Happy birthday. Not much better way

to celebrate it than with a pink jersey. It has been an amazing day.

An amazing way to spend your birthday. To finish on that way,

what a treat. Cannot thank my team enough for giving that opportunity.

It is a once-in-a-lifetime for a guy like me. And what a fantastic team.

And the other riders in the team, first participants this year, they

must be over the moon. I was just opting to Michael Hepburn, and he

said, is this how it always is?! I was like, no, it is a special day.

There was a predetermined plan to cross the finish line first. Was

that decided during the stage or in advance? They gave me the gift. It

was a birthday present. This team is really selfless in that way. I'd

feel really fortunate to be given that gift on my birthday.

Congratulations. I hope we see you again tomorrow.

What a nice man and what a nice present.

Orica-GreenEdge, they came through mixed conditions and delivered

today. The nearest him to them, Rigoberto Uran's team. Ahead by just

a second. I heard of the DNC boys. No doubt about the winners. As you

saw, spent aft, very grateful. -- Svein Tuft.

Belfast, we have some winners and some significant losers. Dan Martin,

of course, has taken a fall in the wet. And Joaquim Rodriguez, he fails

to fire on all cylinders on a damp day.

The thing about luck is it comes and goes. And it is not handed out

fairly. Today, no doubting our winners and their credentials.

Absolutely fabulous and a great result it certainly was. For all of

those on the podium, Orica-GreenEdge, Oregon Farmer

quickstep and GMC. They can take the drive and pleasure in their

performances. -- Micah Farmer quickstep. A great effort. They

delivered every way. Horrific. You would be hard pushed to meet a nicer

bunch of guys. And this bodes well. Our leader is a Canadian. Svein

Tuft. It will take a while for them all to be handed flowers. But it

will be Softy who takes the bunch. Third from left, Michael Matthews is

likely to take over that pink jersey. -- Tufty. Matthews issued,

by rights, be in a different jersey tomorrow. -- Matthews should. Ladies

and gentlemen, the winners of stage 1... The rain is coming down again.

It is expected to login for tomorrow. You never know, if it

stays wet as we head up to the northern coast, here in Northern

Ireland, it may well prove to be a difficult day for many. Let's hope

not. It is a difficult day for Irish cycling fans, I'm afraid to tell

you, that Dan Martin has found himself on the wrong end of an

injury today. He is out of this year's Giro d'Italia. No hiding the

joy and sense of achievement from these boys.

Svein Tuft, look at that. What a birthday, one he will never forget!

Surrounded by his mates. Hoisted aloft. He will be wearing the pink

jersey. I do not know what has happened to it. Maybe everyone is

scared of them. Or scared of the fizzy stuff. Michael Matthews,

Catherine Meyer, Svein Tuft... So we will start handing out the jersey in

just a few moments time. No king of the mountains today. But we may

well, you never know, they may well have declared it. No more interviews

today. It looks like the teams have decided to take themselves off to

the buses as we speak. The second charge of confetti has been put into

the canon. -- canon. And our PA is on stage, announcing that we're

going to hand over the leaders jersey and here it is. Coveted, most

certainly. And a delight. To our leader, Svein Tuft.

And now the first pink jersey of the 2014 Giro d'Italia, from

Orica-GreenEdge, the Canadian rider, on his birthday, Svein Tuft!

Svein Tuft, happy birthday. What about that?

Presented by the tourism minister. And our proud sponsors of the Giro

d'Italia. The smile is mile wide. Fantastic to

see Svein Tuft enjoying that. Says it is a gift from his team-mates but

if you sort the effort he was putting in as he came up to the

finishing line, he was not a passenger. They all wrote superbly.

I was very impressed with them, riding that had, managing to

organise themselves to get across the line. The team is confident, and

working together. And Orica-GreenEdge came here with this

very much in mind. We saw how dominant they could be in the time

trial last summer. But this was the goal. This was the goal. It was the

first stage. And that always gets a lot of publicity and interest. And

they are a team that are well adapted to it. He did not actually

have the best weather in the end. They had to deal with showers on the

course. The plan perfectly and that is what you get. If you get one of

you guys in the pink jersey, you are happy. A great party behind us and

fantastic to see so many of the crowd staying for the presentation

and joining in the celebrations. They are lapping up the location.

The atmosphere outside City Hall has been fantastic. It has been a great

thing to see in Belfast and a big, exciting event. People who might not

have had a lot of interest in bike racing have really engaged in it and

have become part of it. Lovely to think they'll be inspired.

Tremendous to see that. Well, one young Irishman we would like to hear

from, it was a bad day for Dan Martin, he is out of the race, but

one of the Irish riders is with Team Sky. Philip Deignan spoke to Gavin

after their ride. What did you make of this reception?

It was incredible. Yesterday, I won't forget yesterday's reception

in a while. It was amazing. Incredible the way people here have

taken to the race and the atmosphere is amazing. Even the rain hasn't put

people off. And the crowds, did you see any? Just a wall of noise. I

couldn't really make out much. I heard a lot of Phillips and stuff,

it was nice. Did you get the worst of the conditions, are you happy

with the time? I don't even know the time. Obviously you are going to

lose a lot on those corners. You can't carry the same speed through.

Third at this stage. Yeah, it shows what maybe we could have done on a

dry circuit. That's cycling. See you tomorrow. Cheers.

There we go. Philip Deignan certainly enjoyed the experience. He

described it as a wall of noise. In an event like this you can't pick

out faces or hear shouts, you get a wonderful roar. It's a real

motivation. It gives a lot of atmosphere. A lot of the riders,

some new riders riding their first Grand Tour apparently have been

asking their team-mates, is it always like this? Team-mates are

saying no, this one is special. That's what we have seen tonight. We

heard from Philip there, before he probably knew what happened to Dan

Martin. Let's look at that crash. A horrible to see them come down so

hard on the Newtownards Road. It's very, very tough. It's unlucky. You

can see what happened. One rider goes down and everybody else crashes

over him. It's very unpleasant to look at. Four riders coming down. At

this point they were down to eight. The chances of Garmin at this stage

done gone. They would have been hoping to put in a decent time.

Garmin Sharp are well-drilled, know what they're doing and will have

been looking for a good result. They were doing well. They weren't

leading but were up there at the point when they went down. It's

disappointing for the team but devastating clearly are to Dan who

would have expected and hoped for so much more. We will not see Dan any

more in the Giro d'Italia this year. But we hope to hear how he is and

wish him the best. It's tough for him. He will be feeling it a little

bit. It looked like a man with a broken shoulder. It's a frequent

injury in bike racing and most of the riders know when they've done

it, Dan looked like a man with a broken shoulder. There are winners

and losers in a day like today, we should mention Katusha and

Rodriguez. We don't know what happened there. I think they weren't

firing on all cylinders. We didn't see anything in particular went

wrong. Not a strong team time trial but they had a bad evening.

Rodriguez has lost over a minute on the other contenders before the race

has even got out of Belfast. If you look at the GC contenders, the

winners will be Rigoberto Uran. Used to ride for Team Sky. That was a

good performance from his team. They were really working very hard for

that. They've also got a sprinter which becomes relevant in the next

few days because there are time bonuses on the sprint stages. They

have the potential to get one of their guys into the pink jersey.

Stage two will finish here tomorrow afternoon after a magnificent ride

up to the north coast of Ireland, stage two starts in Belfast and -

ends in Belfast and in between some of the most spectacular scenes in

the whole of this Giro. Graeme Little went to look at the route

with one of the great icons of the sport, winner in 1987, Stephen

Roche. From Titanic skwap skwaurter the

race -- Quarter heads to Newton Abbey, past Antrim and then the road

to the coast takes them past Ballymena and Slemish Mountain.

They'll turn on to the famous coastway route. Around the corner I

will pick up a travelling companion who knows a thing or two about bike

races. 27 years ago an Irishman became open

the second person ever to win the -- only to win Giro d'Italia and Tour

in the same year. You are all dressed, ready to ride? I am ready,

are you? I am. Let's go. Stephen, I am sure when you are

winning this race over a quarter of a century ago you never imagined you

would see it on Irish roads? It was impossible to imagine the Giro

d'Italia going across to start here in our country, no. Amazing.

Tempting as it was to spend an hour or two at the oldest distillery in

Ireland, whisky and cycling don't mix. Anyway, Stephen had to meet an

opened friend at the Giant's Causeway. -- an old friend at the

Giant's Causeway. It's 30 years since we have raced together. A long

time. We have aged well. What we have here is a travelling road show.

The Giro d'Italia with the caravan and all in front. These roads will

be used for years to come. and all in front. These roads will

promoters of diven events to ride the roads that the -- different

events the roads that the -- different

Giro d'Italia was on, it will encourage people from all over the

world to be part of something that's historical. This particular part of

Ireland, the Glens of Antrim and the coast is something that we see on a

daily basis and maybe don't appreciate it. I have been around

the world and seen magnificent scenery and yet when I come home I

am always blown away. It's breathtaking. We have it and we have

to share it with the rest of the world.

Oi, come on! The peloton won't have much time for

taking in the speck taking lash surroundings of North -- spectacular

surroundings of North Antrim but the fans will. This area provides some

of the most amazing views in all of Ireland and brilliant if sometimes

challenging cycling roads. Stephen, we are about halfway along the coast

route now, you must be impressed? I am knackered! It's been a hard day.

A beautiful day with the scenery. In the last section the race passes the

Glens of Antrim, the Town of Larne and Carrickfergus Castle. It took us

so long, did you enjoy it? We had a tourist route. Don't forget, the

best cyclists coming along here will be going faster than we are. Ten

miles from here into Belfast, they'll be sprinting at this stage.

We should do the same. Last one in Belfast buys the beer. I will buy

the still water, let's go. My money's on Stephen even so! This is

the course. We have seen some of the spectacular scenes along the route.

It follows that stunning north coast road back to Belfast. It finishes

again here at City Hall. It's a long way, 218 kilometres but

it's looking like a sprinter's course, isn't it? It's a long stage

but essentially a flat stage. One climb which isn't really going to

put anyone in trouble. It's almost certainly going to be a big bunch

sprint back here tomorrow. Great to see Stephen Roche enjoying that

ride, looking like a young thing. Phenomenal record he has. Of course

winner of the Giro d'Italia when he also won the Tour and the World

Championship. The triple Crown. Certainly one of the best riders in

the history of the sport, he is clearly having a great time with the

Giro d'Italia in his own backward. Let's hear from his son, another

favourite and hoping to do damage in this race, Nicolas Roche.

Finally, the wait is over, most of Ireland has been waiting for this

for months, how have you been feeling? The buzz is really mental,

it kind of - I feel the same way. At the start I was like, Giro d'Italia

is going to start in Ireland, it's like, yeah, cool. Let's change all

my programme, I want to be there, it's going to be great. And then a

few months ago I was like, wow, this is going to be great. Then I was

like, but great, great, you know. And just kind of built up and, you

know, I always get superexcited about riding a Grand Tour, there's

something special about it, I had that buzz of getting ready for it.

Just the fact that now it's in Ireland, it's not the extra

pressure, it's actually the extra pleasure. It's great, I love it. Do

you think people have a concept of how big a deal this is, even in

terms of entourage and scale? I hope now that a lot of people are going

to come out and realise how big the sport is and how nice or, can I say

kind of cool cycling is. It's not a small amateur race that you have on

the side of the road with 20 guise. This is a Giro -- guys, this is the

Giro d'Italia, one of the biggest events in the world. I am proud to

be able to share that with the people who live here and so they can

realise how the sport is. What have the rest of the riders been saying,

have they been trying to scout the routes and get inside knowledge? I

haven't got much inside, to be honest, haven't much information to

give. A lot were asking me earlier how is the weather going to be, I

said well if you are lucky it could rain for an hour, if you are unlucky

it could rain for the week. That's how Ireland is. The weather is

unpredictable. You are guaranteed it's going to rain but guaranteed

sooner or later the sun will come out too. Maybe people are kind of

already complaining, I was like, Ireland is ten degrees and it's

raining, and then you go on the internet and on the Dolomites

there's snow, come on, guys, I would rather have rain in Ireland than

those snow snowy days! So, obviously I think it would have been just that

much more spectacular if the weather was nicer, but that's also part of

the luck, you can never guarantee that. You probably spent most of

your career getting away from your famous dad and the famous name but I

imagine in the weeks running up to this it's all come back and the

questions are back again? Yeah, actual actually it's a long time

since I hadn't had the questions about my dad. People had turned a

page on that, there's no need to do any comparison between myself and

him. He was what he was. I do what I do. I am a big fan of what he did. I

have all the respect for that. I think people now also realise that

there's no point comparing. Great to hear him talking about his

dad there. Of course the weather is a national pastime here. We have

more action coming up. Tomorrow, as we have shown you, we will be here

in Belfast from 2.00pm on BBC2 Northern Ireland. And then on Sunday

we head from Armagh down to Dublin for stage three and we are on air on

BBC2 Northern Ireland from 2. 30pm but that wraps up the action here.

Our thanks to the commentary team and to Michael. It's been a start.

It's been a fantastic start to the Giro d'Italia. Such an atmosphere,

so many people and people enjoying bike racing. It's been terrific.

Hard lines to Dan Martin. We wish him the best with his recovery. Some

great performances from some of the big names here. Cadel Evans, Uran.

It's Svein Tuft celebrating tonight. Happy birthday to him. We will see

you tomorrow. Bye for now. Ulster's last game against Munster

in January Now with the Ulstermen's top four

place secure, it's a chance to impress

before the Pro12 play offs. Ulster playing some

enterprising rugby. You've dug, you've sown,

you've planted, you've watered, you've trimmed,

you've nurtured. Look what you've grown

with your patch of land. A massive thank you for sending in

all your pictures, from BBC Two's...