"I would go for a rotation" - Vincenzo Nibali backs up Tadej Pogacar's Grand Tour change proposal and goes further

The proposal for a switch in the order of the Grand Tours is a topic that has been gaining popularity and traction recently. Whilst there are hard objections to it, including the Giro organizers which make it virtually impossible, there are many in agreement. Vincenzo Nibali not only believes it could work, but suggested a rotation of the Grand Tour dates.

Nibali was present at the Giro d'Italia's route presentation this 1st of December, taking the front of the stage in the route reveal. He is a legend of the Giro and is not only a representative, but an important part of the organization at this point.

After the show in Rome, he has further worked on the message of the Giro's economic impact and benefit to the regions where it goes through on the yearly. "The figures we saw at the forum show that we're no longer just talking about the sport or the athlete's performance, but what a Giro d'Italia, a Grand Tour, can contribute in terms of economic growth," the 'Shark of Messina' said in words to Marca.

"The Bike Economy, infrastructure improvements, cycling paths around cities and beyond them, crossing mountainous areas and green spaces, are part of an ecosystem that promotes more common mobility for everyone." Nibali, a legend of Italian cycling and the last rider of the country to win a Grand Tour - now 9 years ago - remains a past of the sport's history, and a vocal voice in the current topics that surround the sport.

The topic of the 'big 3's' presence at the Giro is very much open and is one of the most interesting sub-plots of this off-season. Whilst not guaranteed, Jonas Vingegaard has heavily hinted at his debut in the Corsa Rosa in 2026, in order to complete the Triple Crown and work towards a bigger goal, as Tadej Pogacar has no intentions of giving up on a Tour de France presence.

Whilst the Slovenian seems certain to not return to the Corsa Rosa yet, the big question remains on Remco Evenepoel. The Belgian could aim for the Giro, or put in extra focus on the spring classics where debuts in races such as Milano-Sanremo and the Tour of Flanders are on the table. Hence, with Evenepoel and Pogacar addressing the media this coming week, we should learn about their points of view.

But for Vingegaard, Nibali has a very clear vision, and believes it is an obvious choice. "It would be fantastic to see him next year at the Giro d'Italia. It's the last major race missing from his record and he would be the eighth rider to achieve the triple crow".

Recently in an interview, proposed with the idea, Tadej Pogacar agreed that a calendar switch between the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España would be logic: “I always say that if the Giro d’Italia and La Vuelta were swapped it would be much better, because of the weather conditions and because it would allow more riders to take part".

The Giro often has stages shortened or outright cancelled due to the snow in the Alps or the heavy rain conditions; whilst the Vuelta a España is often affected by heat waves. In 2024, temperatures soared into record numbers and several riders abandoned due to heat stroke.

However, no change will happen in the foreseeable future, as RCS Sport (organizers of the Giro) CEO Paolo Bellino has dismissed the idea of a change: “We're not even going to think about the idea. The Giro d'Italia has a traditional date in May and we don't want to change it. Every Grand Tour has its own history and importance, also thanks to its date in the calendar". 

What is Nibali's view on this potential change? "The first Grand Tour of the year always has something special. The riders arrive with fresh legs and there is a lot of spectacle. It has always been that way," he sees it, so he understands the lack of desire for the Giro organizers to voluntarily change their schedule. 

But the former pro proposes a different idea, consisting of switching up the order of the three Grand Tours including the Tour de France every year: "If it were up to me, I would go for a rotation of the three Grand Tours. It would make the season much more interesting."