Cycling superstars to race first ever Giro d’italia Criterium at Expo 2020 Dubai

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

RCS Sport announces the first ever Giro d’Italia Criterium, organised with the support of MadeinItaly.gov.it, Dubai Sports Council and Expo 2020 Dubai.

The 30 lap short-format race will take place on Nov.6 on a 2.1km circuit in Dubai, as part of the Expo 2020 Dubai — the first World Expo ever hosted in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, where the ‘Made in Italy’ campaign is showcasing Italian excellence.

Among the high-profile riders already confirmed on the entry list are 2021 Giro d’Italia winner and 2019 Tour de France yellow jersey Egan Bernal (Ineos) Grenadiers), three-time UCI Road Race World Champion Peter Sagan (Bora hansgrohe), winner of the Maglia Ciclamino (Points Classifications) of the last edition of the Corsa Rosa, nine-time Grand Tour stage winner Elia Viviani (Cofidis), 2021 Giro d’Italia winner of the KOM Classification Geoffrey Bouchard and the two-time UCI ITT World Champion Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers), winner of six stages of the Giro d’Italia.

Organised in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council and Expo 2020 Dubai, the race will see riders tackle a criterium circuit in the shape of the Giro d’Italia’s ‘Amore Infinito’ infinity symbol. The race will take place near the Expo 2020’s Italian Pavilion — a centre showcasing the beauty of ‘Made in Italy’ products and experiences, where the Giro d’Italia trophy will be on display. The Pavilion will also host a ‘meet and greet’ session with the race’s competitors the day before the event, providing fans the opportunity to speak to their favourite riders. That evening, on 5 November, riders will also attend a gala dinner in celebration of the inaugural race, with a top rider sat at each table.

Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council: “It is a great pleasure for me to announce another high-profile cycling event to Dubai’s exciting sports calendar for 2021. We already host five international cycling events in Dubai every year, and the Giro d ‘Italia Criterium will be a novel new addition, especially since it is taking place in Expo 2020 Dubai, where the world has come together for the greatest show in history.

The Giro d ’Italia Criterium is an exciting short-format race and it features top cycling stars like 2021 Giro d’Italia winner Egan Bernal, three-time UCI Road Race World Champion Peter Sagan, and, of course, Elia Viviani.

“So we are really excited about this one-off event. We are pleased to work alongside our long-time partners RCS to bring this event to our cycling fans, and to promote the many benefits of cycling as a sport and a recreation activity.

Cycling has grown rapidly in Dubai and the UAE over the years, since we started with the Dubai Tour in 2014, and now the UAE Tour, and I am confident events like this will give a further boost to the popularity of this sport here.”

Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, praised the announcement of the organisation and establishment of the first "Giro d’Italia Criterium" at Expo 2020 Dubai, which confirms the UAE’s interest and keenness in sports and the organization of events that contribute to encouraging the community to interact with sports and promote the modern style of a life full of happiness and positive energy for members of the community, stressing that the race will highlight the status of sports events and their distinctive presence within the Expo 2020 Dubai.