The great cycling of RCS Sport and the Vespucci Mediterranean Tour meet in Durres one month before the start of the Pink Race from Albania for an exclusive countdown, organized in collaboration with Official Time Keeper TUDOR, aboard the Italian Navy School Ship. The subsequent meeting between RCS Sport and the Vespucci Mediterranean Tour, during the Pink Race, will be on May 15th in Naples (arrival of the sixth stage) and then on June 1st (last stage of the Giro with start and finish in Rome) in Civitavecchia where the Vespucci will be docked. The Vespucci's motto "Not who begins but who perseveres" connects the Vespucci to the world of cycling and underlines the sacrifice and passion for the sea as well as for two-wheeled road racing. Hosting the event was the Commander of the Vespucci, Navy Captain Giuseppe Lai, who welcomed Ogerta Manastirliu, Minister of Education, Sports and Youth, Paolo Bellino, CEO of RCS Sports & Events, and Emiriana Sako, Mayor of Durres, on the ship's quarterdeck.

STATEMENTS

Ogerta Manastirliu, Albanian Minister of Education, Sports and Youth: "It is an honor for us to have been chosen to host the Grand Start of an international event like the Giro d'Italia. For all of Albania, this will be a moment of sports and tourism promotion that will have an impact on the territory both in the short and long term. The Giro is an event broadcast worldwide, and for this reason, the involved cities are working to ensure that Albania is promoted in the best possible way. Sport is an important vehicle for young people, and such an event will certainly give great promotion to cycling, creating new generations of enthusiasts".

Paolo Bellino, CEO and General Manager of RCS Sports & Events: "Being here today in Durres, aboard the Amerigo Vespucci, an timeless symbol of our country, represents a highly meaningful moment. Exactly thirty days remain until the start of the 2025 Giro d'Italia from this city, and we could not have imagined a better setting to celebrate the beginning of the countdown. The combination of the Giro and the Vespucci, two excellences of Made in Italy, tells a story of passion, beauty, commitment, and vision. Bringing the Pink Race beyond national borders, starting from a friendly land like Albania, allows us to strengthen international dialogue, promote our cultural heritage, and spread those values that cycling perfectly embodies. The Italy that pedals is the same Italy that sails: proud of its roots, but always projected towards the future. And the Giro d'Italia has always been its most fascinating ambassador".

Navy Captain Giuseppe Lai, commander of the Amerigo Vespucci: "The Amerigo Vespucci school ship and the Giro d'Italia are Italian excellences that meet to promote shared values of sport, culture, technological innovation, and Italian know-how. We are proud to have hosted the countdown to one month before the start of the 108th edition of the Giro d'Italia, and I thank RCS Sport CEO Paolo Bellino for this important opportunity to meet. This year the Pink Race will start from Durres, a city chosen by the Vespucci to celebrate the solid bond between Italy and Albania, and for this I thank Sports Minister Ogerta Manastirliu and Durres Mayor Emiriana Sako for their presence".