The Giro in Belfast

Our podcasters Richard Moore, Lionel Birnie and Daniel Friebe are in Belfast for the Big Start of the 2014 Giro d'Italia. They are joined by former Cervelo and Garmin-Sharp rider Daniel Lloyd.

As the official opening ceremony and team presentation takes place outside City Hall, we look forward to the first grand tour of the season.

We hear from Tinkoff-Saxo's team leader Nicolas Roche, whose father Stephen was born in Dublin and won the 1987 Giro about his chances of a high overall finish. Roche's team-mate Chris Juul Jensen was brought up in Ireland before moving to Denmark but he was looking forward to the opening three stages as he makes his grand tour debut.

We also speak to Garmin-Sharp sports director Charly Wegelius and their co-leader Ryder Hesjedal, who won the Giro in 2012.

So, who will the stars of this Giro d'Italia be? We look ahead at the race...