It’s only 101 days until the start of 2018’s first grand tour, the Giro d’Italia, and this year, the race is starting in Israel. Yes, that Israel. And to celebrate the county was “bathed in pink light” on January 22, 2018.
The Giro d’Italia will make history this year. Starting with three stages of the race in Israel, it will be the first time that one of cycling’s three Grand Tour races (Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, Vuelta a Espana) has ever been held outside Europe. . . 176 of the world’s top cyclists will begin the race on May 4 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, taking in breath-taking views from start to finish. . . The world’s top cyclists will ride through cities including Jerusalem, Haifa, Zichron Ya’akov, Caesarea, Petach Tikva, Tel Aviv, Beer Sheva, Mitzpe Ramon and Eilat. The Giro will finish three weeks later in Rome, rather than its usual end point in Milan.
Israel is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and what a great reason to visit. For the official word, please follow the jump.
JERUSALEM, January 25, 2018 – Marking 101 days before the start of the 101st edition of the Giro d’Italia – one of the world’s most significant sporting events – landmarks in major cities throughout Israel and Italy were bathed in pink light on Monday night (January 22). Municipal buildings, bridges, highways and historical sites were illuminated, forming a trail of pink light across the 21 stages of the Giro, which will begin in Jerusalem and end in Rome.
The Giro d’Italia will make history this year. Starting with three stages of the race in Israel, it will be the first time that one of cycling’s three Grand Tour races (Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, Vuelta a Espana) has ever been held outside Europe.
176 of the world’s top cyclists will begin the race on May 4 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, taking in breath-taking views from start to finish.
The world’s top cyclists will ride through cities including Jerusalem, Haifa, Zichron Ya’akov, Caesarea, Petach Tikva, Tel Aviv, Beer Sheva, Mitzpe Ramon and Eilat. The Giro will finish three weeks later in Rome, rather than its usual end point in Milan.
The ‘Big Start’ of the Giro d’Italia is the most significant sporting event ever held in Israel. It is also unprecedented in size, as a logistical event in the country. It is expected to attract thousands of tourists, in addition to 22 international cycling teams arriving to compete, while hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide will follow the three days of live broadcasts from Israel.
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. The 2018 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, such as Holland, Denmark, Northern Ireland and Belgium.
For more information about the Giro d’Italia, please visit www.giroditalia.it/eng/
Day One will see riders begin the race against the backdrop of Jerusalem’s iconic Old City on a 10.1km time-trial tour of the city.
Day Two begins at the scenic Baha’i Gardens in Haifa, then passing through historic Acre and Caesarea, before riders head to the finish line on Tel Aviv’s beachside promenade, totaling 167km.
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 226km.
