Giro d’Italia 2020 postponed due to coronavirus

The iconic race has been forced to postpone the event due to a state of emergency in Hungary, where the opening three stages will take place

Richard Carapaz lifts the trophy after winning the general classification (AFP)

The 2020 Giro d’Italia has been postponed due to coronavirus.

The Grande Partenza for the iconic three-week Grand Tour race was due to begin on 9 May in Budapest, with three stages in total scheduled to take place in Hungary.

But a state of emergency in the country due to COVID-19 now means the race will be postponed.

A statement from the race read: “In response to the spread of coronavirus the Hungarian government has declared a state of emergency. This prohibits the organisation of mass events and makes it impossible to organise international events.

“As a consequence, the Organising Committee of the Giro d’Italia’s Hungarian stages declared that the Giro’s start could not be held in Hungary at the originally scheduled time. All parties have agreed that they are determined to work together to enable the Giro d’Italia to depart from Hungary at a later time.

“RCS Sport, having taken note of the international and national situation, announces that the date of the 2020 Giro d’Italia is thereby postponed. The new date will be announced no earlier than 3 April when the provisions of the DPCM of 4 March 2020 will end, and only after having consulted with appropriate representatives of the Italian Government, local and territorial authorities and Italian and international sports institutions.”

Richard Carapaz won the coveted pink jersey – maglia rosa – the Ecuadorian’s first Grand Tour general classification victory.