This year's Giro d'Italia kicked off in Albania, marking the 15th time the race has started outside Italy's borders. Although only the first stage has been ridden, preparations are already underway for the next Grande Partenza.
La Dernière Heure magazine asked Paolo Bellino, CEO of RCS Sport, the company organizing the Giro, if Belgium is a target. Belgium has hosted the Giro only once before (in 1973, when Eddy Merckx won his fourth Giro). "Returning to Belgium would be a dream. Belgium is a cycling nation, and any event organizer, especially in cycling, would want 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."
Among the next candidates could be Middle Eastern countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The UAE already has a close working relationship with RCS Sport, as they organize both the men's and women's UAE Tour.
Last May, Cyclingnews reported that plans for the 2026 Giro start in the Saudi Arabian tourist resort of AlUla (pictured) were either canceled or at least postponed due to regional instability and the construction of hotels and infrastructure. According to the newspaper Het Nieuwsblad, RCS Sport is looking for opportunities in the Middle East to host the 2026 and 2027 Giro starts. Both AlUla and the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, have been mentioned as candidates.
