Race organizer RCS has postponed the planned November 12th route announcement for the Giro d’Italia and Giro d’Italia Women without further explanation and with no new date announced. RCS made the announcement via social media on Thursday.
Italian media has a theory: In recent weeks, political tempers flared between the planned hosts of the men’s grande partenza, Albania and the Italian government over the deportation of migrants to the Balkan country, putting the Albanian start in jeopardy.
Italian news site cicloweb.it suggests the planned start in Albania is in danger and RCS may be investigating a start in Sicily instead. The Italian island had previously put its hand up for 2025 Giro stages but, as of today, will not host the race this year.
RCS general manager Paolo Bellino, speaking to Tuttobiciweb, denied the Albania start is in jeopardy.
“No change of plans, no problem with Albania, the press conference of November 12 in Rome was postponed only and exclusively due to a technical problem of ours,” Bellino said. “I can’t say more, also because we will issue a press release shortly.”
Political tensions between Albania and Italy have escalated in recent weeks. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had proposed a plan to house asylum seekers in Albania, with Italy paying Albania to host them. While some migrants were initially transferred to an Albanian reception center, Italy’s court in Rome ruled that asylum seekers have the right to undergo their application process in Italy itself. According to Cicloweb, the plans for the Giro d’Italia’s start in Albania were reportedly connected to these broader political agreements between the two countries.
The change in plans could have significant financial implications for race organizer RCS Sport, which was reportedly set to receive €7 million for the Albanian start. The uncertainty might also affect the race’s ability to attract top talent, including Jonas Vingegaard, who has expressed interest in competing in both the Giro and Tour de France.
Race officials have not yet announced a new date for the route presentation, stating only that they will “update you on the new date as soon as possible.”
This story is developing.
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