A 21km team time trial which starts and finishes in Belfast on Friday seems a strange way to begin the 97th edition of the Giro d'Italia cycle race. However, in keeping with recent developments in its sister race the Tour de France, beginning the race in a different country is becoming a popular trait. Staging the first few days in Ireland does appear rather extreme as race organisers have needed to begin one day early to accommodate an extra rest day to coincide with the lengthy transfer from Ireland to Italy. And then the real action begins.