Ciao, Europe: Giro d'Italia Likely To Hold Stage Of '12 Race In DC

The Giro d'Italia is likely to begin the '12 event in DC, marking the first time one of cycling's "most prominent races would conduct a stage outside Europe," according to Gene Wang of the WASHINGTON POST. Race officials Thursday held an event at the Italian Embassy in DC and "although they stopped short of making an official announcement, a deal seemed all but imminent." The '12 race "would begin on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the National Archives and close to the White House." The riders would "pass the FBI building, Freedom Plaza and the Ellipse before going behind the White House to the State Department, Virginia Avenue, the Watergate, Rock Creek park and then reversing course." A "featured backdrop to the race would be the Arlington Memorial Bridge." Bringing the race to DC "is the latest step by cycling officials to promote the sport globally." The prologue stage in DC is the only stage scheduled for the U.S., but "several cities, including Philadelphia and New York, have been mentioned should Giro d'Italia organizers deem it necessary to have two race days on American soil." The Tour de France is the only cycling event "considered a more important race than the Giro d'Italia" (WASHINGTON POST, 2/26).