Israel is hosting the opening three stages of the 101st Giro d’Italia in May 2018. The ‘Big Start’ in Israel will be the first time that any of cycling’s three ‘Grand Tour’ races; Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana has been held outside Europe.
176 of the world’s top cyclists will begin the race with three stages in Israel, before a further 18 days of racing across Italy, culminating in a finish in Rome.
Commencing on May 4, the race will begin against the backdrop of Jerusalem’s Old City. Over the following two days, the competitors will ride from the North of Israel to the tip of the Red Sea, taking in breathtaking views from start to finish. The ‘Big Start’ will comprise of three stages of the Giro d’Italia:
• Day One will see riders begin the race against the backdrop of Jerusalem’s iconic Old City on a 10km time-trial tour of the city.
• Day Two will begin in Haifa, then passing through historic Acre and Caesarea, before riders head to the finish line on Tel Aviv’s beachside promenade, totaling 167km.
• Day Three begins in Beer Sheva and takes in southern Israel’s most dramatic scenery including the breathtaking Ramon Crater, finishing at the Red Sea resort of Eilat, totaling 229km.
STAGE 2: HAIFA – TEL AVIV | SATURDAY MAY 5, 2018
The first inter-city stage from Haifa to Tel Aviv is 167km long and will take place on Saturday May 5. Following the start, the route undulates around Acre and includes the first GPM (KOM) to find the best climber of the 2018 Giro in Zikron Yakov. The second part of the route is substantially flat on wide roads, with the last few kilometres within the city of Tel Aviv and the finish line on its iconic seafront.
OF NOTE:
Closure of Highway 2 in the Giro d’Italia Race in the Sharon Region
As part of the preparations by the Israel Police for the security of the Giro d’Italia race, on Saturday 5/5/18, Highway 2 will be closed in both directions from 13:00 to 19:00.
Entrance to Road 2 from the following localities will not be possible at the following closing hours:
Beit Shean, Giv’at Shapira, Avihail, Netanya, Wingate, Beit Shean, Hofit, Kfar Vitkin, Beit Herut, Ga’ash, Shefayim, .
Drivers are asked to obey police orders and use alternative routes