All cycling fans were expecting the prestigious race – only second best to the Tour de France - to be inaugurated May 4th in the heart of the Holy city of Jerusalem, where over 200 cyclists from 22 teams begun pedalling cross-country through almost every spot of Israel to conclude the largest athletic event ever hosted by Israel in the city of Eilat.
This is the first time this Europeans cycle competition is held outside Europe and the 13th start of the race outside Italy.
The ceremony had a special mention of honour to Gino Bartolli, the former transalpine cyclist who was three times winner of the Giro and twice from the famed “Tour de France”. Beyond the fanfare, Bartolli’s greatest deed to his career was as risking his life to save Italian Jews by hiding fake identity papers in the frame of his own bicycle. Officially recognized as a “Righteous among the Nations” thirteen years after his passing in 2013. His legacy did not give him a trophy, but Bartolli’s legacy to the sport lied on declining to address this period of his life by his famous words “Making good is something we do, not something we tell about. “
Once the ceremony ended, the Giro’s first stage started with an historical race though Jerusalem and ended close to the old city walls with Tom Dumoulin winning. Dumoulin, from the Netherlands, beat his rival Victor Campenaerts just by a few seconds; "I knew I felt good in the last days, but we still had to see in the race how it is. This is all I wished for - the win and a lot of time on the other GC riders, so it's the perfect start for me," Dumoulin said.
The second stage was held from Haifa to Tel Aviv on 167 kilometres on the border of the Mediterranean Sea. Elia Viviani won the chaotic second stage sprint finish in Tel Aviv. "It wasn't easy to win. I'm usually calm but it wasn't easy to do well after a good start to season but then a stop, then starting again. I felt the pressure that I was the rider to beat" Viviani said.
The third and last step of the 101th edition of the race, which brought the cyclers from Be’er Sheva to the seaside resort of Eilat on 229 kilometres. This last course went through the desert, and the winner, the Italian, Elia Viviani took his second consecutive sprint during stage 3 in Eilat. The residents of the south were present to encourage the sportsmen on Sunday although it was the first day of the working week.
Another epic highlight of this event was Lance Armstong’s visit to Israel during the race. Armstrong commented on the Giro’s three stages on his Soundcloud podcast and posted an ad saying “Airbnb apartment to rent in Washington in May".
This ground breaking event was indeed historical for the cyclers and the country’s residents alike. Millions of enthusiastic Israelis were gathered alongside the road and were very proud to host this unique cycle race. As for the athletes, it was extremely difficult for them as they never performed in such a heat. The outcome of the race is very positive both for the country and for the cyclers.