Saudi investment fund wants to acquire RCS: Giro start in Saudi Arabia suddenly more likely
Cycling
There are some remarkable rumors in Italy. The Giro organization is busy assembling the tour's route for 2025: the start should be in Albania, but devising that plan is not without problems. Meanwhile, there are whispers about starting the Giro d'Italia in the Middle East.
The 2025 Tour of Italy route presentation has been postponed until next year. Riders will know where they are headed on January 13. There were concerns about the start in Albania: it should occur in the capital, Tirana. RCS Sport CEO Paolo Bellino assured Il Giornale that there is no problem. "The postponement of the presentation of the 2025 Giro is just a technical issue for us; the Albania project will continue without any problem," the Italian said.
But other than the start in Albania, rumors have surfaced that the Giro d'Italia will take a trip outside Europe. For example, in the future, the start would be in Saudi Arabia. The reason? The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, better known as the PIF, is said to be interested in a financial takeover of RCS Sport. If that plan comes to fruition, it will certainly not be illogical to see the Tour of Italy in the Middle East in no time. If the Giro starts in Saudi Arabia, it will be the most remote starting location in the Tour's history. In 2018, the Giro started outside Europe for the first time with La Grande Partenza in Israel.
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PIF specifically interferes in foreign sports
The PIF has been trying to influence foreign sports authorities for some time. The sovereign wealth fund has acquired English soccer club Newcastle United, for example, but it has also bought substantial shares in tennis and golf. It also interferes with the music and video game worlds. The PIF is far from uncontroversial: its chairman is Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In 2018, he was accused of the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi; he later confessed to being complicit. However, his position as head of state earned him immunity.
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Latest Comments
- If she thinks talent alone will put her there she will not see many podium finishes much less a GC finish.....work as a team utilizing tactics to consistently be at the top.Germanrazor10-01-2025
- This was very informative! Luiz Antonio Duarte Ferreiraluizantonioduarteferreira02-01-2025
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024