Giro d'Italia 2019 to begin in Bologna with short uphill time trial

Race organiser RCS today confirmed that the 2019 Giro d'Italia will begin with a short but sharp time trial in the city of Bologna as the region of Emilia-Romagna is awarded the 102nd Giro Grand Partenza. 

Announced at a presentation in Bologna, it was confirmed that the northern province of Emilia-Romagna would host five stages including the opening day's time trial and Stage 2, both of which will depart from the host city.

Stage 1 will only be 8.2km in length but will finish at the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca, a basilica church that sits almost 300m above the rest of the city, providing a 2.1km uphill test, at an average of 9.7%, for all those competing for the first pink jersey of the race. 

Strangely, following the opening two stages, the Giro will return to Emilia-Romagna at the end of the first week with an individual time trial from the Adriatic seaside town of Riccione to the principality hilltop state of San Marino. 

This will continue the Giro's tradition of an individual time trial through an area made popular for its wine, so much so the stage has been nicknamed the 'Sangiovese Wine Stage'.

It will cover a distance of 34.7km with the second half of the trial climbing over 500m in elevation.

After the obligatory rest day, the race will then reconvene further up the coast from the town of Ravenna in a pan-flat, 147km road stage to Modena on Stage 10.

Emilia-Romagna's connection with the 2019 Giro continues on Stage 11 as the race departs from Carpi although the stage finish remains a mystery.

This brings Italy's Grand Tour back home after its 2018 experiment with a Grande Partenza outside of Europe. This year, the race began with three stages across Israel, something that was met with mixed reactions for both political and racing reasons.

Rumours of a start in the USA and Japan have been mentioned, albeit not for 2019, and it has been confirmed that the Giro would return to an area of Italy synonymous with cycling.

Race director Mauro Vegni spoke at the presentation stating that 'Emilia-Romagna has a strong cycling tradition, it has given great champions and it deserves this recognition.'

One of Emilia-Romagna's most cherished sons is the late Marco Pantani, who was born and raised in the town Cesana. Next year will mark the 15th anniversary of his death so it can be expected that remembrance will be paid to 'Il Pirata' as the race passes through his home roads.