14,000km from home: Is the Giro d’Italia set to start in Australia in 2027?
CyclingThursday, 15 May 2025 at 13:45
We’re not even a week into the 2025 Giro d’Italia, but
attention is already turning to where the race might kick off in the future.
After this year’s opening three stages in Albania, speculation is swirling, and
one rumoured destination for 2027 is turning heads.
Australia.
Yes, you read that right. The Giro d’Italia, one of
cycling’s most historic Grand Tours, could begin more than 14,000 kilometres
from home.
It sounds far-fetched, but it’s not as wild an idea as it
might seem. The Giro has already ventured to Belfast (2014), Jerusalem (2018),
and Budapest (2022) in recent years. Now, race organisers RCS are reportedly
weighing up another bold move. Alongside talks with Saudi Arabia and the United
Arab Emirates, where RCS already organises the UAE Tour, Australia is now
firmly in the mix.
The Middle East, though, brings its own complications. The
political situation in the region raises questions about stability and safety
for hosting such a major event. Bulgaria has also emerged as a more
conventional possibility, but the real surprise is coming from down under.
“There are talks to bring the first 3 stages of the Giro
2027 to Australia. That is not a joke or a rumour. It is real,” Australian
journalist Michael Tomalaris told Sporza.
“I know from a reliable source that Giro organizer RCS is
looking at possibilities to bring the Giro to Australia. I know that seems
impossible to many people. But it is really being considered.”
Tomalaris thinks Western Australia would be the most
practical host: “I think the most logical place would be Perth (in Western
Australia) because that's the closest to Europe.”
“But Melbourne and Sydney would also be interested. Those
regions are always looking for big events.”
Of course, the logistics are daunting. After three days of
racing, the entire Giro caravan would need to make a 16-hour flight back to
Italy. Tomalaris acknowledges that this would likely require “2 rest days after
the Australian triptych.”
And how would the riders react?
“But if the riders are compensated for it, they might think
twice,” he said. “Everyone will ultimately be in the same boat, because
everyone has to do those flights. So everyone has the same disadvantages.”
Read also
He also points to other major sporting events making their
way to Australia. “For example, next year a Serie A match (Inter-Milan) and an
NFL duel will be played in Australia,” Tomalaris noted.
But does Australia even want the Giro?
“In Australia, the love for cycling is very big. This is
thanks to some of the top Australian riders such as Robbie McEwen, Stuart
O'Grady, Bradley McGee, Simon Gerrans, Cadel Evans and more recently Caleb
Ewan, Ben O'Connor and Jai Hindley,” Tomalaris explained.
And beyond the star power, there’s a deeper cultural pull,
“Watching the Giro and the Tour is a form of escapism for us. Because here it
is a bit cooler in May, June and July and it gets dark earlier.”
“Bringing the start of the Giro to Australia would be a
dream come true.”
Sporza also spoke with Giro boss Mauro Vegni from
RCS, who kept his cards close to his chest, but didn’t rule anything out.
“We don't rule anything out,” he said. “It's difficult from
a practical and logistical point of view, but we don't say no to anyone in
advance.”
“Everything is possible, but you have to study the interest
well and you also have to find out what the UCI's position is. Moreover, we do
not yet know how the calendar will be reformed soon and what the rules will
be.”
“Only then can you see what is possible. We have so many
requests from abroad and we assess them all. We are prepared to talk to
everyone. That is clear. After that, a whole process can begin that could
possibly lead to such a Grande Partenza.”
So, are formal negotiations happening?
“There is certainly interest,” Vegni confirmed. “But as I
said: there are many issues for which you may need to find a solution.”
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter today!
May 12, 11:09
0
Popular news
Latest comments
- Matthew - ITS NOT A LAMBORGHINI 😁
leedorney25-05-2025 - Amongst several other dubious actions. Still, great for all those passive retirement « investors » in arms manufacturers who can’t (mainly because they don’t want to) see the links. This is my main reason for not cheering on someone like Tadej, who just line the Ronaldos and Benzemas of this world are all to happy to have their (sleeping) conscience bought out.Mistermaumau25-05-2025
- Some people are just mature and stubborn enough to stay within their personal limits despite outside pressure, when you don’t, you end up like Senna, is that what spectators want to provoke with their « demands » on athletes?Mistermaumau25-05-2025
- Nobody ever complained about Froome doing nothing but stage races once he realised he’d NEVER get a result in one-day stuff? Why the different standards?Mistermaumau25-05-2025
- Has he ever unfairly blamed anyone for his own crashes?Mistermaumau25-05-2025
- I have no idea how the points are weighted but hopefully it’s somehow fair and in that case I guess the reason is because 1. Some races are worth more points, 2. You also get points when you don’t win. Maybe MVDP won something in 2014 (or did you mistype?) but his real wins only started in 2019..Mistermaumau25-05-2025
- Asgreen was pretty quiet lately, good to see he’s still got it.Mistermaumau25-05-2025
- Yeah, UAE. What a team! Sponsored by the main financier of the genocide in Darfur. You can't male these things up.Ben25-05-2025
- Vingo's case, more than a desire to be with his family, it seems to be fear of racing and crashing. Yes, cycling is a very dangerous sport; you have to have a lot of confidence, otherwise, it won't be long before the rider gives up. The retirement out of fear starts avoiding running, considering EVERYTHING extremely dangerous, even climbing Montmartre. If Vingo doesn't win again the Tour this year, probably his retirement is near.
maria2024202425-05-2025 - Despicable and disrespectful comments from WVA. How about we blame you too for your own numerous crashes? This is not the way to go for GC standings. It was the organization's fault to place such a bottleneck in a slippery surface for 200 riders.elosanjos25-05-2025
As an Aussie residing in Melbourne, it would be incredible to have Pogacar, Vingegaard, Roglic, Evenepoel, etc. time trialling down Beach Road (and claiming all the KOMs along the way), and up the Dandenongs and the three peaks... but come on, let's be realistic here! The logistics and expenses would make it way too hard and the audience/market in Australia is small (only one of my colleagues cycles to work in a workplace with hundreds of staff and the vast majority of Aussies simply do not care about cycling, let alone any grand tours). If anything, the organisers might do better to take it to the States if they want a bigger audience / increase viewership.
Why? Why? Do you want your cyclists to suffer from jet lag?
Let them do stage 1 aweek or month in advance ;-)