Next Year in Jerusalem: 2018 Giro d’Italia Will Begin in Jerusalem, End in Vatican City

Major cycling has always been an exclusively European affair, that is, until now. The Giro d’Italia, one of Europe’s three major cycling events, will begin in Israel in 2018. The race will mark the first time that one of cycling’s three major races will begin outside Europe.

A press conference will be held on Monday to give full details about the event. However, a spokesman for Israeli Sports Minister Miri Regev did confirm the start of the race for Jerusalem, and relayed the sense of excitement Israel felt about the opportunity to host it.

“We are proud to host in Israel any international competition and of course the Giro, which is an important competition with the world’s best riders,” the spokesman told AFP.

In addition to hosting the Giro d’Italia, Israel will mark it’s 70th anniversary as a nation in 2018. The international spotlight that the race will bring to Israel, especially in a historically important year, will no doubt help the country’s economy. The race will last three weeks, and feature more than 175 cyclists from around the world. The Israeli leg of the race will last three days.

The Giro is no stranger to taking the show on the road. The race has had starts in the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, and several other locations other than Italy. Though, all of those starts occurred in Europe.

“According to Cycling Weekly, it will begin next year in Jerusalem with a possible time trial on May 5, followed by two stages in southern Israel and Tel Aviv, along the Mediterranean.

“Monday’s press conference in Jerusalem is to be attended by cycling legends Alberto Contador and Ivan Basso, along with Italian and Israeli officials, a press release said.”

In addition to the race having an interesting and unique starting point, it will also have a symbolic ending point. Consistent with the race’s theme of co-existence and peace, the race will end in Vatican City.

According to the AFP, the 2018 race in Jerusalem will mark the 101st edition of the Giro.