Tadej Pogacar recently suggested changing the cycling calendar. The world champion would like to see the Vuelta held in May in the future and the Giro in August/September. However, RCS Sport, the organizer of the Giro, firmly rejects that idea.
"The Giro has traditional dates and we do not want those to be changed," says Paolo Bellino, CEO of RCS Sport, to Cyclingnews. "Every Grand Tour has its own history and significance, partly defined by its place on the calendar. The Giro has been held 107 times in the month of May. The only exception was during the coronavirus pandemic, a unique period for the entire world, when we had to do everything to save the season."
So Bellino does not foresee a major shift of the Giro on the calendar, but he is open to pushing it back by one week. "I would like to see the Giro taking place around June 2," he says. In Italy, June 2 is a national holiday: the 'Republic Day' is celebrated then. There is another advantage, the CEO believes. "Such a shift could also mean tackling the big mountains one week later, which in some years can make a big difference in weather conditions."
"But that is the only date change we are considering," Bellino emphasizes. "There will be no exchange between the Giro and the Vuelta."
