103rd Giro d’Italia presentation: quotes

Vincenzo Spadafora, Italy’s Minister of Sport, said: “The Giro d’Italia is part of Italian history and culture. Every day we use metaphors, idioms and nicknames with their roots in the 110 years between today and the first edition of 1909. It is an inexhaustible source of memories, stories and of passion that has divided the country into factions of supporters, but in a healthy and fun way: the Giro has unified our country thanks to great champions and the love for cycling. Over the decades, the Giro has been able to repay the affection of Italians in many ways. Among them, I remember fondly the initiative of educating school children about the values of the Giro: fair play, cycling culture and sustainable mobility, along with road safety and food education.”

Urbano Cairo, RCS MediaGroup President and CEO, said: “The Giro d’Italia is an asset of great importance for the entire RCS Group. Our fruitful collaboration with Rai enables us to produce a race of the highest level, with beautiful images broadcast around the world. We are very happy with the Minister of Sport Spadafora being here today, just as we appreciated the speech by the President of the Council Conte at the Frascati stage of the 2019 edition. The Giro, which has united Italy for more than 100 years, is intertwined with collaboration with our country’s major institutions, as the Giro is one of the most significant ways that Italy is represented globally.”

Paolo Bellino, CEO & General Manager of RCS Sport, said: “The Giro d’Italia is something that goes beyond the sporting event. The 103rd edition will visit many UNESCO World Heritage sites, starting with Budapest. Across all five continents, we will show images of wonderful places the race encounters. Our partnership with Enit – the Italian National Tourism Agency – is very important is because the Giro shows, on all its media channels, not only a very high level cycling race but also the 360 image of Italy. The 2020 edition will reach almost 800 million TV viewers worldwide along with the many fans who follow us, both on the roads and the Rai channels. We are sure that, thanks to the support of all our partners – institutions, sponsors and the media – the next Giro will be an event not to be missed, just as with the previous edition.”

Mauro Vegni, Giro d’Italia Director, said: “For the first time in its history the Giro d’Italia will start in Eastern Europe, and for the 14th time from abroad. This demonstrates again how its growing appeal is not just national, but international. The course will be challenging but balanced with three time trials and seven uphill finishes. The last week in the Dolomites and the Alps will be decisive and the return of the finale in Milan – with an Individual Time Trial – will keep the race open until the last day. I am very pleased to see a rider of Peter Sagan’s stature announcing that he will start the Giro next year, once again showing how international athletes are attracted by the Corsa Rosa.”

Marcello Foa, President of Rai Television, said: “Rai’s effort for the Giro is incredible, a great team job from a great team. There are two fixed events every year that are followed by almost all Italians: the Sanremo Festival and the Giro d’Italia. Just like the Sanremo Festival, the Giro is a tradition, part of Italian history and identity, a passion that is passed on from generation to generation: a beautiful moment of national union.”

Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan, said: “It is always a great thrill to see the Giro d’Italia finish its run in Milan, perhaps because it’s from here that the first race began in 1909 or because, with the Giro 103, there will be 78 winners awarded in Milan’s Piazza del Duomo. Also, in 2020 Milan and the metropolitan city will be protagonists of one last exciting stage: a time trial which, I am sure, will convey the beauty of this competition and this sport to many thousands of enthusiasts, supporters and tourists.”