Giro d’Italia likely to start from Hungary in 2022

Only formalities needed to finally confirm that the Giro d’Italia will start in Hungary in 2022

Earlier this year, there already were signs and statements pointing in this direction, but Révész has once again confirmed it. “With our present knowledge, I think it is likely that the Giro d’Italia will start from Hungary in 2022. The Hungarian government has sent all the necessary documents, we are waiting for the Italian response,” the politician claimed.

Hungary was to have hosted Giro’s ‘Grande Partenza’ from May 9 to 11 in 2020. The coronavirus outbreak, however, forced the postponement of the world’s number 2 multi-day cycling race to October, and ‘restricted’ it geographically to Italy. The 2021 edition was then still staged exclusively in Italy. However, it brought Hungarian road cycling’s biggest success, as Attila Valter was wearing the pink jersey (assigned to the general classification’s leader) for three stages.

The Hungarian start would only be the 14th time the Giro started outside of Italy. According to the original plans, an individual time trial would have taken place in Budapest on the first day, while the second stage would have started in the capital and finished in Gyor. Then a third stage would have started in Székesfehérvár and finished in Nagykanizsa, skirting the shores of Lake Balaton.

The exact route and schedule of the Hungarian etapes of the 2022 race remain to be discussed and agreed upon, Révész also said, although their recommendations are based on the 2020 plans.

While there is no political dispute about the race, Budapest’s opposition leadership previously set two conditions for the race: it should cost no money for Budapest and the race should impose the least burden on the locals.

Rumoured Opening Stages of the 2022 Giro d'Italia in Hungary

Presumably, the 2022 Giro d'Italia kicks into gear with a 8.6 kilometer ITT within the Hungarian city of Budapest. The flat route concludes with a climb of 1.3 kilometres at 5% with sections up to 14%.

The 2nd stage of the 2022 Giro d'Italia is likely to travel from Budapest to Györ. The second Hungarian leg of 2022's first Grand Tour is likely to see a sprint finish. The route amounts to 193 kilometres.

At 197 kilometres, the 3rd stage of the 2022 Giro d'Italia runs from Székesfehérvár to Nagykanizsa. Another bunch sprint is next to certain.