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news
Tom Dumoulin with the Giro d'Italia trophy (LaPresse - D'Alberto - Ferrari - Paolone - Spada).jpgWelsh Government in talks to host Tour de France and Giro d’Italia
A Welsh Government minister has revealed that talks have been held with the organisers of the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia to bring the races to the country.
The news follows Cardiff’s successful hosting of the UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Juventus on Saturday.
Recent years have also seen Wales host some London 2012 Olympic football matches and games in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, while golf’s Ryder Cup was held at Celtic Manor in 2010 and Cardiff is now established as a test cricket venue.
As well as the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia, the country is also seeking to bring golf’s Open Championship to Royal Porthcawl.
"I think there is great potential to host new major events that have not yet been to Wales," economy minister Ken Skates told BBC Wales.
"We have had productive conversations with the organisations behind these events."
In 2014, the Grand Depart of the Tour de France took place in Yorkshire followed by a stage from Cambridge to London while the Big Start of the Giro d’Italia was hosted by Northern Ireland, with the third stage of the race crossing the border for a finish in Dublin.
Both attracted huge crowds and have led to successful legacy events being established in the shape of the Tour de Yorkshire and the Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia Northern Ireland.
Mr Skates said: "Cycling events such as the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France are hugely popular and we have proved we can host major cycling events in Wales, I would like to attract more.
"We have been speaking to the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France and that would be really exciting," said Mr Skates.
Wales hosted the start of the Tour of Britain in 2015, when the race began on Anglesey, and this year’s edition will finish in Cardiff.
Since 2015, the capital has also hosted the start and finish of Velothon Wales, which comprises a UCI-sanctioned race and mass participation event.
The profile of cycling in the country has also been raised in recent years by the success of Welsh riders on the road and track including Nicole Cooke, Geraint Thomas, Owain Doull, Elinor Barker and Becky James.
Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.
Latest Comments
- Simon E 43 min 30 sec ago
That's what we are told. Edge-of-town housing developments are progressing at haste here in Shropshire, all with the same car-centric, profit...
- ktache 46 min 47 sec ago
Or lezyne tubeless pro plugs. I've got a set, but had no chance to try them out. I want to use those mushrooms.
- chrisonabike 1 hour 28 min ago
That's a bit forward! But yes; pop up any time you like. Except when the buses have been at the bridges.
- TheUntypicals 3 hours 32 min ago
If businesses are suffering on Linthorpe Road it is entirely their own fault, most of the destination type shops moved out long before the cycle...
- giff77 3 hours 49 min ago
So where is the entitlement of wanting to get from A to B in relative safety? The city centre is dire regarding cycling infrastructure and while...
- whosatthewheel 3 hours 53 min ago
I live in a mostly flat town and can maintain 22-25mph. Makes no difference to drivers who still overtake frantically even only to slow down to my...
- Pot00000000 6 hours 28 min ago
👍🏼 IMHO, one of the main things to look out for is butted tubes, double or even tripple butted. ride safe and have a great Christmas
- wtjs 7 hours 55 min ago
And we can be sure that Police Scotland would be similarly disinterested...
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6 comments
But Wales isn't in France or Italy. Was there some vote I didn't hear about?
Wales, ugly? Some of the people maybe, but have you driven from Machynlleth to Snowdonia? Or from Leominster to Aberystwyth? Mountains, half decent roads, and places populated enough to ensure good crowds. I'm not Welsh (born in London, raised in Worcestershire, and live in Newcastle) and think it would make a great place for a Grand Depart. You knows it clart.
Ugly? That's an unusual view. It's such a beautiful country. Perhaps you haven't seen too much of it?
Wales is a fantastic cycling place, from it's national parks, glorious coastline and a great selection of climbs. Bring it on.
Hmmm...I live in the Wye Valley and don't really recognise your description of Wales Valbrona. It sounds like your myopic view of Wales was formed in the Afon Valley.
But Wales if a God-damn shit ugly place to hold a bike race.
All those big plantations of non-native conifer trees and empty fields of grass where native deciduous trees once grew.