Albania will host the opening 3 stages of next year’s Giro d’Italia

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania will host the start of next year’s Giro d’Italia, race organizers announced Monday.

The first three stages will be held in Albania from May 9-11.

The opening stage will start in the port city of Durres and finish in Tirana along a hilly route of 164 kilometers (102 miles).

Tirana will host a 13.7-kilometer (8.5-mile) individual time trial for Stage 2, then Stage 3 will be another hilly leg of 160 kilometers (99 miles) starting and finishing in the coastal city of Vlore, which is directly across the Adriatic from the Italian region of Puglia, where the race will resume on May 13 after a rest day.

The rest of next year’s route will be announced next month.

Tadej Pogacar won this year’s Giro.