Rumours 2020 Giro d'Italia will start on the Island of Sicily
New stages from the island's capital Palmero expected to replace cancelled Hungarian stages
The rescheduled Giro d'Italia could start in Sicilian capital Palermo with a short individual time trial on October 3rd, with two more stages on the island replacing the opening three stages in Hungary in May.
There were hopes the the start could be hosted in the Lombardy region, the region hit hardest by coronavirus, however this seems to be problematic.
The rescheduled Italian Grand Tour looks likely to cover most of the original route, with a time trial through the Prosecco region and key mountain stages over the Passo dello Stelvio and the Colle Agnello before the finale in Milan with a final 16.5km individual time trial.
Race director Mauro Vegni hopes the 2020 Giro d'Italia will allow fans and spectators to enjoy the race, whilst adhering to public health restrictions, especially crowd sizes. Major races will have to adhere to public health restrictions for the rest of the 2020 season.
RCS Sport want to ensure the confirmed key mountain stages held during the weekends will maximise television viewing figures.
The rescheduled Giro d'Italia is due to start on October 3rd and finish in Milan on October 25th.
The Tour de France is currently scheduled to take place August 29-September 20, while the 18 stage shortened Vuelta a España is due to take place in October 20-November 8, overlapping the Giro by 5 days.
The original stage finish on Mount Etna, on stage 5 will likely be brought forward to stage 3 with two new stages afterwards in the southern regions of Basilicata and Abruzzo during the first week of the Giro after returning to the mainland.
Race organiser RCS Sport has already confirmed that Sicily will host the Grand Partenza of the 2021 Giro d'Italia as part of a three-year deal with the Sicilian Region.
Race director Mauro Vegni has already said the new route will be revealed with a virtual presentation online at the end of June / start of July.