Fenty meets with Giro Organizers

From the NYTimes via DCist.

Angelo Zomegnan, the Giro’s race director, and members of a working group met with Mayor Adrian Fenty on Thursday morning to discuss plans for Washington to host the start of the 2012 Giro, a storied race that is 100 years old.

The Giro, which is held in May, is one of cycling’s three Grand Tours.

“We can’t say it will 100 percent start here, but we think that it is very, very possible and we’re moving forward to work together,” said Zomegnan, who was pleased with the results of the meeting with the mayor. “There are a lot of things that must happen in the next few weeks before we can say it’s 100 percent. But I think it looks good.”

“I believe it would be one of the most fabulous events ever to happen in Washington, D.C., from an athletic discipline standpoint,” said Fenty, who is partly Italian. His grandmother is from a suburb of Rome.

Comments

[Eric_W.]

We are talking about the Giro d'Italia? I understand starting in a country bordering on Italy or going through other countries during some of the stages. But this is quite a different level.

Can you imagine the amount of money the riders will have to pay for excess baggage when they check in? ;-)

It would be cool to have a big race start here but it still seems odd.

[CyclingFool]

I first heard about this possibility a few weeks ago. At that time, someone mentioned it would be the first time that a grand European tour (Giro, TDF, Vuelta) would be starting outside of Europe. To that I said that it seemed more logical for the Vuelta to start in Morocco or for the Giro, e.g., to start on the Asian side of Istanbul. But if they want to come to DC, brig em on! I'll glady stand out by the route and watch the Giro riders go by!

[Michael]

Yeah, it is a little strange but I'll be first in line to watch the race here. One of the perks of having a mayor who is also a serious cyclist and triathlete.