MILAN: The Giro d’Italia will start in Albania for the first time next year, organisers said on Monday, ahead of the 108th edition of the race.

Albania will host the opening three stages of the race, which begins on May 9, with the first one taking the riders from Durres to Tirana, before an individual time trial in the capital city and the third stage begins and ends in Vlore.

“This is a significant moment in the world of sports and we are privileged to share with all of you,” Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said in a statement.

It will be the 15th time the Giro has started outside Italy, with Belgium, Greece, France and Northern Ireland among opening stage hosts, and the first since Hungarian capital Budapest in 2022.

The full race route will be announced on Jan 13.

Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2024