The D.C. cycling community was all abuzz Wednesday after several blogs reported that a major cycling race was headed to D.C. in 2012.
Not so fast, my pedal-pushing friends.
Seems like those rumors of the Giro d'Italia rolling through the District, started by a post in an Italian publication, aren't exactly true. At least not yet.
Adding to the confusion was a reception being held tonight at the Italian Embassy in D.C., which was mistakenly reported as being a news conference to announce the plans.
Turns out that reception is just a party being thrown by those trying to lure the race to D.C. And there ain't no party like an Italian Embassy party (even if yours truly wasn't invited).
The Washington Business Journal described the event as "a smorgasbord of potential sponsors and sports executives," and said that "professional team players and sports ownership entities have been invited," including those associated with Ted Leonsis. Mmm, smorgasbord...
But just because those pesky rumors are false doesn't mean the deal won't be done. If all goes well, cyclists could still start their race in 2012 by weaving around the monuments of the U.S. capital. Like the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia covers more than
2,000 miles in several stages.
Sports
This year's edition of the Giro will start in the Netherlands, then cyclists will fly to Italy for the remainder of the competition.
The 2011 route for the Giro will be announced later this year.
