The Giro d'Italia appears to have "backed down in a row with Israeli ministers" over its labeling of the major European cycling tour's '18 departure as "west Jerusalem" rather than Jerusalem, which "led to a threat to withdraw support," according to Peter Beaumont of the London GUARDIAN. Race organizers initially took advice from the Italian foreign ministry to describe the start point as west Jerusalem, "due to competing Israeli and Palestinian claims over the city." Israeli politicians "threatened to withdraw support, claiming the race was in breach of its agreement." On Thursday, the Giro's official website "still carried the disputed wording," but by the afternoon, organizers revised it to describe the start point for the first stage as Jerusalem. The race, the first three stages of which were scheduled to begin in Israel before returning to Italy for the remaining 18, was announced to "great fanfare" this year as the first time a European Grand Tour would start in Israel. Race Dir Mauro Vegni said, "The reality is that we want it to be a sports event and stay away from any political discussion." In a joint statement, Israel Tourism Minister Yariv Levin and Culture & Sports Minister Miri Regev said, "Following our response to the Giro management, we are pleased to see the prompt reaction of the organizers in removing the name 'west Jerusalem' from their official announcements." According to reports, Israel paid €10M ($11.9M) to "bring the event out of Europe for the first time," with Giro champion Chris Froome, who confirmed his planned participation in in a tweet, reportedly "receiving an additional fee" (GUARDIAN, 11/30).
NEW CHALLENGES: REUTERS' Martyn Herman reported next year's race "promises a volcanic opening week" with Mount Etna confirmed as the first summit finished in the 101st edition of the race. Two-time Giro winner Vincenzo Nibali said, "The climb towards Etna from this side is unprecedented even for me." Eight summit finishes await Froome and the rest of the '18 peloton, "including two huge days in the mountains in the final week." The 3,546.2km trek will end in Rome on May 27 (REUTERS, 11/29).
