From the Liveblog of
Monday, September 18, 2017
Giro d’Italia unveils challenging Israel start
Alberto Contador and Ivan Basso help unveil plans for a challenging start to the 2018 Giro d’Italia in Israel, the first time one of cycling’s three major races will begin outside Europe.
The two cycling stars attend a press conference in Jerusalem detailing the start for the Italian race next year, with the first three stages to be hosted by Israel from May 4-6.
It will begin with a time trial in hilly Jerusalem, followed by two other stages, one that will follow the Mediterranean coast from Haifa to Tel Aviv and another that will begin in Beersheba in the Negev desert and end in Eilat on the Red Sea.
It is a major coup for Israel, providing it with an opportunity to promote its tourism industry as it celebrates 70 years since the country’s creation.
— with AFP
