Next year's Giro to start in Israel

[rrudoff]

Israel tourism is a big advertiser when watching cycling on TV in Europe, from what I recall on Eurosport and/or RAI. Tel Aviv to Sicily about the same as Italy to the UK or Ireland.

[MattTuck]

Originally Posted by rrudoff

Israel tourism is a big advertiser when watching cycling on TV in Europe, from what I recall on Eurosport and/or RAI. Tel Aviv to Sicily about the same as Italy to the UK or Ireland.

Agreed. Been seeing a lot of Israel tourism commercials... mostly featuring the shapely backside of a woman pulling the viewer along for a ride through the country, and various outfits.

I wonder how much this cost them. It continues the current trajectory of cycling whoring itself out to the highest bidder.

[93legendti]

Tourism in Israel is huge. So is cycling.

There are hard mountains everywhere. Tabor, Meron, Moreh, Gilboa, Hermon, Beit Shemesh, the climb to Jerusalem...Even in the Arava and Negev, where the Giro will visit. Scorpion Pass is one....on the ancient Spice Route, if I recall correctly.

[ANAO]

Originally Posted by 93legendti

Tourism in Israel is huge. So is cycling.

There are hard mountains everywhere. Tabor, Meron, Moreh, Gilboa, Hermon, Beit Shemesh, the climb to Jerusalem...Even in the Arava and Negev, where the Giro will visit. Scorpion Pass is one....on the ancient Spice Route, if I recall correctly.

In May, I stayed in Jerusalem and rode from there. Man, it's really tough to end with that climb up to Jerusalem after each ride.

Check this one out:

https://www.strava.com/activities/1017207491

[mhespenheide]

As a racer, I'd hate the hassle of the travel.

As an outsider, I find myself a little impressed at the idea of starting in Jerusalem and finishing in Vatican City.

If nothing else, perhaps spectators will see that Israel is a modern country with modern benefits and problems -- not something trapped in amber from 2000 years ago.

[93legendti]

Originally Posted by ANAO

In May, I stayed in Jerusalem and rode from there. Man, it's really tough to end with that climb up to Jerusalem after each ride.

Check this one out:

https://www.strava.com/activities/1017207491

Very cool. I haven't done the climb to Jerusalem on a bike, but regardless of the direction, it is steep and long.

[rnhood]

I think it's great that the organizers are willing to spend some days of the tour in other countries. In fact I'd like to see them spend a week in one country, a week in another, then the final week in Italy. We are suppose to have globalized over the past years, so why follow through with these tours. I don't believe there is a rule that says a tour must spend all three weeks in one country. At least I hope not anyway.