“I’d like to bring time trials back into the spotlight”: New RCS chief reveals his vision for a revamped Giro d’Italia
CyclingWednesday, 09 September 2026 at 06:00
Luca Guercilena has wasted little time outlining how he wants to reshape the Giro d’Italia. After 16 years at the helm of Lidl-Trek, the experienced Italian manager officially began his new role as RCS Sport’s Head of Cycling on September 1, and his early vision points toward a more balanced, international and commercially attractive Corsa Rosa.
One of the clearest changes he would like to see is an increased role for time trials. Guercilena believes the Giro should offer more opportunities for specialists against the clock rather than relying so heavily on climbing to determine the overall classification.
“I’ve always loved time trials, and I’d like to bring them back into the spotlight,” Guercilena said in a recent interview. “I’d like to strike a better balance between time trials and climbs, so as to broaden the range of potential winners.”
That philosophy forms part of a much broader objective. Guercilena wants the Giro to become more attractive not only to the riders capable of winning it, but also to teams, sponsors and broadcasters.
Jonas Vingegaard won the 2026 Giro d'Italia
A Giro designed to attract the biggest names
The 2026 Giro featured a single 42-kilometer individual time trial, while the Tour de France and Vuelta a España have also maintained significant amounts of racing against the clock. Guercilena now appears keen to ensure that future editions of the Italian Grand Tour provide a more diverse test for GC contenders.
“I think of balanced routes where every type of rider - climber, sprinter, time trialist, a role that I love very much - can have their own space and not feel excluded from the outset,” he said.
That approach could also help address one of the Giro’s recurring challenges: attracting the very best GC riders. Guercilena does not believe RCS should solve that problem by simply trying to recruit stars one by one. “We mustn’t go out looking for big names; we need to organise a race that attracts them.”
He also sees the calendar as an important part of that strategy. RCS intends to lobby the UCI for the Giro to start a week later, bringing the race closer to Italy’s June 2 Republic Day holiday.
“If the Festa della Repubblica on June 2 were always included, that would add value to the Giro,” Guercilena said. “The weather could be better too, and riders who target Flanders and Roubaix would also have an extra week of recovery so they could start.”
Read also
Three priorities for Guercilena’s first years
Guercilena's ambitions extend beyond the Giro route itself. His three-year contract with RCS comes with three clearly defined priorities.
“We’ll look to strengthen the Giro start list, which is fundamental,” he said. “We’ll look to plan race routes further in advance, and we want to increase the economic attractiveness for sponsors and television broadcasters. It’s all connected.”
His management philosophy also marks a departure from the traditional image of the powerful Giro boss who personally controls every aspect of the race. “My role is not that of a traditional patron,” Guercilena concluded. “Cycling has changed and needs a different, global vision. I’m not a control freak: I believe in teamwork.”
Félix SernaCycling Journalist
Félix Serna is a writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2025. He covers professional cycling across both the men’s and women’s calendars, with a focus on UCI rankings, race developments, and rider performance. His work includes interview-based reports, liveblogs, and tournament coverage designed to provide clear, accurate context throughout the season.
In his reporting, Félix regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical reference. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies.
claps 1visitors 1
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- First see how Wout does in Granada. It is a very similar course
Rafionain-Glas09-09-2026 - WVA to follow MVDP, Remco to follow Del Toro/Sexias. Simple. otherwise attack at different pointsabstractengineer09-09-2026
- All riders think they can become World Champion now Pogacar is not there. That could be fun. 😁
DareDevil09-09-2026 - Is Remco theoretically able to jump over Pogacar? By winning the World Championships, Lombardia, maybe something extra?DareDevil09-09-2026
- On paper there are 2 captains, but Evenepoel is the only real captain.DareDevil09-09-2026
- God, I’d love to see this. I can genuinely see him as the next Sagan, he has the humour for it.anonymouscyclist08-09-2026
- Time moves on. I feel no sorrow or dejection towards Ineos’ lack of dominance, like its old Sky days. Cycling is at its best when it's unpredictable, chaotic, and tense. Seeing generational talents clash across different jerseys, backgrounds, and nationalities is far more thrilling than watching a single train control a race. Back then it was Britain; now it’s Slovenia, Denmark, and beyond. Its jeopardy that makes us watch.anonymouscyclist08-09-2026
- Silly prediction I’ve said before and will say again: after he wins all the races and sets the records he wants to set, he bulks up and becomes a sprinter.RidesHills08-09-2026
- 1stpastthepost, if that’s directed at me, I have to ask if you have read the whole thread?Jumpyjohn08-09-2026
- MrMauMau 2.0 you areRafionain-Glas08-09-2026
Loading
Write a comment