Giro d'Italia. No one knows for certain, I'll let the mystery be.

Though it is not a set thing, the Post called the announcement of a District start for the 2012 race "imminent".

Officials with the race held a gala on Thursday night at the Italian Embassy in Northwest Washington to introduce the race, and although they stopped short of making an official announcement, it was clear a deal is imminent

The 2012 race would begin on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the National Archives and close to the White House. Cyclists then would pass the FBI building, Freedom Plaza and the Ellipse before going behind the White House to the State Department, Virginia Avenue, the Watergate, Rock Creek park and then reversing course.

A featured backdrop to the race would be the Arlington Memorial Bridge. Two bronze sculptures there were cast by Leo Friedlander in Florence, Italy, in 1950 and presented to the United States by the people of Italy a year later.

The Examiner, meanwhile quotes Fenty

How close is the deal to being done? "We're on the cusp," said Fenty

[Laywer Mark] Sommers added that other U.S. cities competing to host the start of the Giro "have been whittled away."

Comments

[CyclingFool]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed and waiting with baited breath! Bring on the Giro!!!

[Eric_W.]

What he said!

I still think it is funny to have a transcontinental start for the Giro but it sounds like a fun thing for us!

[Michael H.]

Kind of makes me nervous to see a big gala like this before the deal is official. Get the contract signed first and then celebrate.