Organizers for the Giro d’Italia, RCS Sport, announced from their headquarters in Milan today, that the 2015 edition will start in Liguria next year, with an 18 kilometer team time trial.
In addition, the north-west coastal region of Italy will host two additional days of racing, with stages to San Remo, Genoa and La Spezia.
According to RCS’s general manager, Paolo Bettini, “The big starts are not just linked to money.” “It’s about finding a city that wants the project and wants to make money from it.”
The 18-kilometre team time trial from San Lorenzo al Mare to San Remo will run entirely on the Riviera dei Fiori bike path it created from a former coastal rail route.
The second stage, will travel the peloton along 150 kilometers from Albenga to Genova, and use the Via Aurelia that the Milan-San Remo race takes in the opposite direction – concluding with four laps around 7.5 kilometer circuit in the city.
The third stage will take the race through Cinque Terre to La Spezia – with a final 10 kilometer climb to the finish in Biassa.
“The three stages in Liguria, we are sure, will be a great success,” Race Director Mauro Vegni said. “This land is double-knotted to cycling and its passion has never ceased.
“Next year will be the fifth start from Liguria, and countless towns and villages have hosted the Giro’s stages throughout its history, either as stage starts or finishes. And this is on top of prestigious events such as the Milan-San Remo. We therefore expect a lot of people and a lot of love.”
"This area is closely tied to cycling and its passion has never ceased. Next year will be the fifth Giro Big Start from Liguria, and countless towns and villages have hosted the Giro’s stages throughout its history, either as stage starts or finishes. And this is on top of prestigious events such as the Milan-Sanremo. We therefore expect a lot of people and a lot of love.”
The Giro began three times in Genoa – 1980, 1992 and 2004 and in San Remo in 1987.
Last weekend’s Tour de France winner, Vincenzo Nibali, who won the 2013 Giro d’Italia, was unable to attend the presentation in Milan today due to other racing obligations. However, the Italian rider sent a message indicating that he might ride in the 2015 event.
“The Giro d’Italia is very important for me and I would like to send my best regards to everyone. I have a very special bond with the Giro because it’s the race that launched me onto the Grand Tour scene. I can say I wish to come back in 2015.”
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