The Giro d’Italia cycling race, a premier global sporting event, will begin this year in Jerusalem, marking the first time in history that a Grand-Tour will take place outside of Europe.
The world-famous Giro d’Italia cycling race, a major event in the global sporting calendar, will begin this year in Jerusalem, marking the first time in history that a Grand-Tour will take place outside of Europe. This event will be the most prestigious sporting contest ever held in Israel.
The Giro d’Italia is an annual multiple-stage bicycle race primarily held in Italy, which also occasionally passes through nearby countries.
Government ministers from Israel and Italy, the Mayor of Jerusalem Nir Barkat, race officials and some of the biggest names in world cycling gathered in Jerusalem on Monday to announce the “Big Start” to the 2018 Giro d’Italia.
Commencing on May 4, 2018, this prestigious event will see 176 of the world’s top cyclists begin the competition against the backdrop of Jerusalem’s Old City. Over the following two days, the competitors will ride from the north of Israel to the tip of the Red Sea, experiencing breathtaking views from start to finish.
The Giro will finish three weeks later on May 22 in Italy. As a result, the 2018 Giro will carry a strong message of peace and coexistence, with its journey representing the ability of sport to build bridges between people, religions and nations.
The Giro d’Italia, which takes place annually in Italy over 21 stages during a three-week period, is watched by hundreds of millions of viewers in 194 countries. Next year’s race will be the 101st edition of the Giro.
Since 2006, the Giro has commenced every other year with a high-profile “Big Start” outside Italy. Previous “Big Starts” have brought the Giro’s excitement to Holland, Denmark, Northern Ireland and Belgium. Next year’s ‘Big Start’ in Israel will be the first time the Giro, the Tour de France or the Vuelta a Espana will have been held outside Europe.
The “Big Start” route in Israel will be comprised of three days.
Day One will see riders begin the race against the backdrop of Jerusalem’s iconic Old City on a 10.1 km time-trial tour of the city.
Day Two begins at the scenic Baha’i Gardens in Haifa, then passes through historic Acre and Caesarea, before riders head to the finish line on Tel Aviv’s beachside promenade, totaling 167 km.
Day Three begins in Beer Sheva and takes in southern Israel’s most dramatic scenery including the breathtaking Ramon Crater, finishing at the Red Sea resort of Eilat, totaling 226 km.
In addition to the competitors, officials and world media, tens of thousands of tourists and cycling enthusiasts are expected to arrive in Israel to experience the Giro d’Italia’s festive atmosphere. The race will be a major boost for cycling’s growing popularity in Israel.
Israel’s Biggest Ever Outdoor Party
Speaking at the launch, Italy’s Sports Minister Luca Lotti said, “The start from Jerusalem is a metaphorical bridge between our two lands, made up of history, culture and traditions.”
Israeli Minister of Culture and Sports Miri Regev added that “It is our great privilege, to be a host country for a sporting event so great and important. I call on you, all lovers of the race, to come here to Israel. This cycling tour across the Holy Land will become a fascinating journey through time covering thousands of years. I’m sure it will be a thrilling experience for everyone.”
Israeli Minister of Tourism Yariv Levin commented that “this amazing race will expose hundreds of millions of viewers in nearly two hundred countries around the world to Israel’s spectacular landscapes, our tourist sites and our perfect weather.”
Jerusalem’s Mayor Nir Barkat said that the city is “proud to host one of the biggest and most prestigious sports events in the world, and the biggest sporting event ever held in Israel, here in the city of Jerusalem. Hundreds of millions of viewers around the globe will watch as some of the world’s best cyclists ride alongside the walls of Jerusalem’s ancient Old City and our historic sites. Our message to the world is clear: Jerusalem, the capital of the State of Israel, is open to all.”
Sylvan Adams, who is the driving force behind the development of Israeli cycling and bringing the Giro to Israel, added that “this historic Big Start of the 101st edition of the Giro is about showcasing our country to 100’s of millions of TV and live spectators: our beautiful outdoor scenery, sharing our history, our culture, and most of all our people, in this diverse, free, pluralistic and fiercely democratic society.”
“Let me personally invite you (and 800 million of your cycling friends) to travel here and experience the Giro in Israel next May 3rd-6th. If you’ve never visited before, you will be amazed by this special place. For returning visitors, come join the celebration, which may very well be Israel’s biggest ever outdoor party.”
By: GPO and United with Israel Staff