Sensational and historic! The 108 Edition of Giro d’Italia arrives in Albania!
Prologue!
In the sweltering heat of the Italian sun, a battle-hardened legion of cyclists prepares to embark on a journey of epic proportions. The Giro D’Italia, one of the world’s most revered and demanding grand tours, is set to ignite the roads of Albania and Italy, promising thrills, spills, and unforgettable drama. For the first time in history, the Giro will start in Albania, a nation steeped in ancient traditions and breathtaking landscapes.
As much as it is a sensational and historic event, it is also almost unbelievable! It is a dream come true for Albanian followers of this great event in the world of cycling.
And not only cycling, but Albanians have been and continue to be countlessly passionate about “Calcio-Serie “A”, “San-Remo” and Italian Cinema, since the time of monism, when they built antennas and invented different ways to secretly follow RAI, the Italian television that connected them to the western world.
And today, the Giro d’Italia has come to take place on the streets of three Albanian cities, Durres-Tirana-Vlore. However, it should be noted that Albania, the country closest to its neighbor, Italy, deserved this long ago to be included in the great Giro d’Italia race.
1 –
The “Giro d’Italia”
A Timeless Odyssey of speed, suffering, and triumph as the world’s top cyclists converge on Albania to kick-start the 108th edition of the Giro d’Italia, the stage is set for an unforgettable adventure.
This year’s tour promises to be one for the ages, with the peloton tackling grueling mountain stages, treacherous descents, and scintillating sprint finishes.
The Giro d’Italia has a rich history dating back to 1909, when the pioneering Italian sports newspaper “La Gazzetta dello Sport” first organized the event.
Over the years, the tour has witnessed some of cycling’s most iconic moments, from Fausto Coppi’s dominance in the 1940s to Bernard Hinault’s fierce rivalry with Francesco Moser in the 1980s.
Italian Champion Fausto Coppi
The “Pirate” Marco Pantani
This year’s starting lineup boasts an impressive array of champions, including Tadej Pogačar, Primož Roglič, and Remco Evenepoel, each vying for the coveted Maglia Rosa.
As the cyclists pedal through Albania’s picturesque landscapes and Italy’s majestic mountains, they’ll face challenges that will push their physical and mental limits to the breaking point.
For Albanian cycling fans, this moment is historic. The country’s passion for sports, combined with its stunning natural beauty, makes it the perfect setting for the Giro’s opening stages.
As the world watches, Albania will showcase its hospitality, enthusiasm, and love for cycling.
The Giro d’Italia is more than just a bike race – it’s a test of human endurance, a celebration of athleticism, and a testament to the unbreakable spirit of its competitors.
As the cyclists embark on this odyssey of speed and suffering, one thing is certain: only the strongest will claim the Maglia Rosa and etch their name in the annals of cycling history.
2.
The Calendar
In the 21 stages that the Giro of the 108th edition holds this year, the first three stages are scheduled to take place in Albania: 160 Km Durres – Tirana; Chronometer 13 Km Tirana-Tirana and 160 Km Vlore-Vlore;
The 108th Giro d’Italia will start on Friday 9 May from Durazzo in Albania and end in Rome on the Imperial Forums on Sunday 1 June: 21 stages, three rest days, 52,350 metres of elevation gain.
It will touch 15 of 20 regions, and will cross Albania, Slovenia and the Vatican City. There are two time trials for a total of 42.3 km: 13.7 km in Tirana and 28.6 km in the Lucca-Pisa. Seven sprints, three uphill finishes (Tagliacozzo, San Valentino-Brentonico and Sestriere), four high mountain stages and five for attackers.
The Cima Coppi, the highest peak, will be the Colle delle Finestre in Piedmont at 2,178 metres.
With the Grande Partenza in Albania, the Giro will start from abroad for the 15th time: the first in 1965 in San Marino. Here are the details of the 21 stages that will take place over a total of 3,443.3 km (average of 164 per stage).
3.
Cycling and the “Rrethi Ciklistik” in Albania!
https://www.sportsvisionplus.com/archive-photo-report-cycling-race-in-albania-in-the-20s/#google_vignette
The first signs of cycling competitions in Albania are as early as in neighboring Italy, since the early 1900s, where two names are mentioned: Vançi Jovan Cavalli and Vangjel Turtulli.
Photo from the development of cycling races in Shkoder – 1922
Above all, Shkodra has superiority. Regardless of the troubles and sufferings of difficult times in life, the emancipation and education of society, Albanians have always had a passion for sports.
To come to the first official cycling race, it would have to come in 1920 with a length of 36 km. Meanwhile, the first “Cycling Circuit” starts in 1925 with winner Jonuz Gjylbegaj.
Great merit for the development of sports in Albania belongs to the patriot Hile Mosi, but also to Palok Nika too.
The Albanian “Cycling Circuit” (Rrethi Ciklistik) would take a break until 1936, when it was won by 17-year-old Pirro Angjeli from Pogradec..
1926 – A group of cyclists pose after the cycling race in Shkoder
A cycling race at the start, among them the well-known cyclist in those years Asim Alia.
Only after 1946 would the institutionalization of this sport begin, the “Cycling Circle” of Albania would be organized on a regular basis, from which would emerge the names of great champions, winners of the Circle and national titles, among which Bilal Agalliu of Partizan, and later the dynasty of the Tafili brothers, Agim and Sytki, Brahim Sykja of Vllaznia.
The three musketeers of Albanian cycling: Agim Tafili, Brahim Sykja, Sytki Tafili
The 60s, 70s and 80s would be the golden years for Albanian cycling, although still far from the levels and quality of world cycling.
Agim Tafili, who at the age of 25 will become a “Master of Sports” and 6-time winner of the “Circle”. An undisputed champion, a kind of Albanian Marko Pantani.
Albanian Champion, Agim Tafili
However, in Albania, Cycling will be ranked among the 5-6 most followed sports, after Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Shooting, Weightlifting, Chess, while Shooting, Dinamo Women’s Volleyball and Weightlifting, with some spontaneous competitions from Athletics, will be the most successful sports for Albania even in the international arena!
© Copyright by Pjerin Bj
New York: May 10, 2025
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Sports vision + Plus / Champions Hour in activity since 2013
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