This year's Giro d'Italia kicked off in Albania, marking the 15th time the race has started outside Italy. Although only the first stage has been completed, work is already underway for the next Grande Partenza.
La Dernière Heure asked Paolo Bellino, CEO of Giro organiser RCS Sport, if Belgium, which has only hosted the Giro once (1973), when Eddy Merckx won his fourth Giro, was in the running. "It would be a dream to come back to Belgium. Belgium is a cycling country and any organiser of sporting events, especially in cycling, would like to do something in Belgium," Bellino replied. "Your country has already proven its skills and hospitality. So yes, we would be very happy to come back to Belgium."
Other candidates could include Middle Eastern countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The UAE already has a close relationship with RCS Sport, as they host both the men's and women's UAE Tours.
Last May, Cyclingnews reported that plans to host the 2026 Giro in the Saudi Arabian tourist resort of AlUla (pictured) had been either cancelled or at least postponed due to regional instability and the construction of hotels and infrastructure. According to Het Nieuwsblad, RCS Sport is looking at options in the Middle East to host the 2026 and 2027 Giro. Both AlUla and the UAE capital Abu Dhabi have been mentioned as candidates.
