Is this why RCS delayed the Giro route presentation? "There is no problem with Albania"

Last Thursday brought surprising news: the organizers of the Giro d'Italia, RCS, postponed the route presentation that was initially scheduled for November 12. This rarely happens, so it must mean something significant was at play. According to Radiocorsa, a program by La Repubblica and RaiSport, there are two main hypotheses, both related to Albania, where the Giro is set to start next year.

Going back to last Thursday, RCS announced the postponement without offering an explanation or a new date. "We will announce a new date for the presentation as soon as possible," they stated. So far, no date has been provided.

The Radiocorsa program (part of La Repubblica and RaiSport) now suggests two possible reasons for the delay, both tied to the Albanian start. The first reason is economic: apparently, Albania has not paid the agreed amount — around seven million euros — from the government and local sponsors.

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Tadej Pogacar won the last Giro

The other reason is political. The agreement between Italy and Albania regarding the repatriation of migrants arriving in Italy has reportedly strained relations between the two countries and damaged Albania's public image. Additionally, these "political agreements" may also be tied to the Giro d'Italia start, according to Cicloweb.

If the race cannot start in Albania, there are two alternatives: one option is to begin in Palermo, on the island of Sicily, and the other is to start in Trieste, in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region.

However, according to Paolo Bellino, general manager of RCS, none of the rumors are true. "There is no change in plans, nor is there a problem with Albania," he told Tuttobiciweb. "The press conference in Rome was postponed solely due to a technical issue on our end."

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