Giro d'Italia Donne 2023 might not have a live broadcast

The 34th edition of the Giro d'Italia Donne will start in Chianciano in eleven days, but the battle for broadcasting rights is still on-going. The Italian cycling federation FCI and Starlight, the current organizer of Giro Donne, go against each other.

Eleven days before the start of the Giro Donne, very dark clouds hang over the Italian cycling race. Starlight, the organizing company behind the multi-day cycling race, has informed Italian cycling federation that it cannot guarantee the television production. Starlight, ironically owned by television company PMG Sport, would not be able to cover the costs due to financial problems.

There is a lot of division among the FCI members on the topic. According to Ciclismoweb, the situation is currently in an impasse. Cesare Di Cintio, the extraordinary commissioner of the Italian cycling federation, seems to hold the key. Di Cintio would be keen to extinguish the financial fire and save the situation, but is encountering a lot of resistance from within the FCI.

If the Giro d'Italia Donne does not take place this year, or is organized without television production, this could have major consequences for the further sporting future of the race. The UCI could then decide to downgrade the (still) WorldTour race and cancel its agreement (from 2024) with RCS Sport. A new economic and sporting crisis within Italian cycling is emerging.