Giro d’Italia organizer defends the use of podium girls

Grand Tour says getting rid of podium girls at sporting events is a trend that will pass in time

While the Tour de France is following the lead of motorsport and stopping the use of podium girls, Giro race director Mauro Vegni dismissed at the idea of scrapping the controversial practice at the Italian Grand Tour.

RCS Sport which owns the Giro d’Italia, Tirreno–Adriatico, Strade Bianche, Milan-San Remo and Il Lombardia have no intentions of doing away with podium girls. 

At the Giro d’Italia, podium girls hold umbrellas over the the GC leaders' heads before the start of each stage and they also present the classification and stage winners with prizes and traditionally pose for a kiss after every stage.

“RCS Sport believe that in this specific moment it is more of a temporary trend to remove podium girls from sport events,” Vegni told the media. “As long as those girls are treated with respect and carry out their job in a professional manner, there is no reason for changing the hospitality process."

RCS Sport recruit them through agencies specialised in hospitality and events, such as trade fairs, exhibitions and other sporting events”.