Giro di Sicilia Returns After 42-year Hiatus

Giro di Sicilia Returns After 42-year Hiatus
With a summit finish atop Mount Etna as its centrepiece stage racing returns to the Italian island of Sicily

The Giro di Sicilia will return to the professional calendar next month after a 42 year hiatus, climaxing with a summit finish on Mount Etna.

The Giro di Sicilia took place sporadically over 70 years spanning from 1907 to its last edition in 1977. The last race, held in 1977, was won by Guiseppe Saronni who would later go on to win Milan-San Remo, Il Lombardia and the 1982 road race World Championships.

The race’s return has attracted some of the sports biggest teams with UAE-Team Emirates, Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec, Wanty-Groupe Gobert and Israel Cycling Academy all confirmed to start. Notably absent, however, is Bahrain-Merida, meaning that Sicily’s Vincenzo Nibali will not be present.

The four-day stage race will be contested on the Italian island of Sicily starting the 3rd of April and running through Saturday the 6th of April 2019.

The first three stages will cover rolling hills designed for sprinters with the final stage finishing with a summit finish on the Etna volcano.