Wine merchant raises a glass to Giro legacy event

Robb Brothers are distributors for Italian wine company, Fantini, one of the sponsors of the Grand Fondo.

The Giro Big Start Legacy event, now into its second year, will take place at Titanic Belfast.

For participating cyclists the Gran Fondo covers two different routes, one 173km in length and the other 58 kilometres, with both stages starting and finishing at Titanic Belfast.

As well as general sponsorship Fantini wines are to be served at the official Gran Fondo Gala dinner in Coppi restaurant, St Anne’s Square, Belfast, today (Friday) and again at the Sunday evening dinner within the Titanic complex for participating cyclists, family and friends.

Charles Robb said, “Fantini is one of the sponsors of the Gran Fondo and as their distributors in Northern Ireland we are delighted to be playing our part in supporting them and this very exciting Giro Legacy event.

“The inaugural 2015 event proved to be very successful and with Fantini closely involved with the sport of cycling there was considerable interest in our stand within the Titanic paddock last year and we are hoping for more of the same this year.”

Co­operation Ireland is the charity partner for this year’s Gran Fondo and over the weekend previous Giro winners and former World Champions Stephen Roche and Gianni Bugno will be in attendance.

The Giro trophy will also be on display and available to have photographs taken with.

Norma Rompante of Robb Brothers Wine Merchants said, “The Gran Fondo, organised by Darach McQuaid and his team at Shadetree Sports, is a great event. It enables amateur cyclists to experience the Giro stages that the professionals undertook during the ‘Big Start’ of 2014 and it’s a great fun-filled weekend for all the family, whether taking part or simply spectating.”