The much-anticipated 2025 Giro d’Italia looks set to begin in Albania, though recent challenges have postponed the official route announcement. Originally scheduled for late October, the presentation was pushed back by RCS Sport, who now suggest it may not take place until early 2025.
Italian broadcaster RAI revealed potential complications with Albania’s involvement, reporting “major problems” in finalising the hosting agreement. RCS Sport initially planned a press conference for late-October 2024 but postponed it, leaving teams and media with no updated announcement date. RCS CEO Paolo Bellino was quick to assure that this delay was purely due to “a technical problem” and insisted that “no change of plans” was anticipated.
RAI’s RadioCorsa hosts Andrea De Luca and Beppe Conti mentioned that Albania had reportedly lowered its hosting fee offer, causing the negotiations to stall. They indicated that the next ten days could be “frenetic” as RCS Sport and Albanian officials work toward finalising the Grand Partenza contract. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama’s office declined further comment, stating, “There is nothing new to say.”
The postponed announcement has left riders and teams in a holding pattern as they await the finalised route to confirm their 2025 plans.
