Amsterdam Gears Up For GiroMania!
On Wednesday, 23 September, Amsterdam’s Alderperson for Sports Carolien Gehrels officially presented GiroMania! together with the organisers of the Giro d’Italia, RCS Sport. GiroMania! is a series of cycling-related activities and festivities scheduled for 1 to 10 May 2010 to celebrate the start of the Italian cycling tour in Amsterdam.
Cycling takes centre stage
Giromania! combines the best of Amsterdam with the best of Italy. The event offers something for everyone: sports fans, culture aficionados, gourmands and followers of fashion. The city also has special plans for the young people of Amsterdam, and has asked schools to participate as well. The Italian festival in Amsterdam will combine international allure with the intimacy of an Amsterdam party, all centred around the bicycle as a means of transportation, recreation and competition.
A colourful 2010
Gehrels: “The Giro d’Italia and Amsterdam are a natural combination. Both are idiosyncratic and cosmopolitan. Hosting the Giro d’Italia in Amsterdam is a once-in-a-lifetime event: a festival that the visitors will never forget. We expect that the start of the tour will provide Amsterdam with economic benefits as well - in today’s economic climate it is vital that we attract European tourists to the city. The event will also be good for Amsterdam’s health, because watching athletes inspires people to participate in sports themselves. We have already noticed an increase in the number of Amsterdam people who actively participate in one sport or another. And last but not least, the event will broadcast images of Amsterdam at its best around the world. Next spring, Amsterdam will gradually turn from the orange of Queen’s Day into the pink of the Giro.”
Zomegnan: ‘’It is with great pleasure, enthusiasm and a little pride that we have come to Amsterdam to finalise a cooperative effort five years in the making. That we have succeeded is partially due to GiroMania.I am certain that we will soon reach an accord with all of our partners in Amsterdam, Utrecht and Middelburg, as we are all working to achieve the same goal. We all want to astound the world, and I am sure that the Italian government, represented by Ambassador Franco Giordano, will assist us in achieving our goals at any opportunity that presents itself.’’
Cycling event programme
The provisional programme for the Giro d’Italia begins with the team presentation prior to the start of the race. The first stage – the individual time trials – will start and finish on the Museumplein on Saturday, 8 May 2010. The second stage, from the Museumplein to Utrecht, will take place on Sunday, 9 May. The third stage on Monday, 10 May will run from Amsterdam’s Zuidas to Middelburg.
On 31 May, the City of Amsterdam signed the contract with RSC Sport in Rome to bring the Giro d’Italia to the city. In addition to the international publicity, the City expects that GiroMania! will bring 300,000 to 500,000 visitors to Amsterdam during the festivities.
Amsterdam can look forward to a number of major athletic events. The Hockey World Championships were recently held in Amsterdam, and the Squash World Championships are currently under way. In 2014, Amsterdam will host the Rowing World Championships. The Giro d’Italia is a natural addition to the list of world-class athletic events, which should eventually culminate in the Olympic Games in 2028.
More information
Robert Wichink: City of Amsterdam Press office: +31 (0) 20 552 2345
Evelien Papa: City of Amsterdam Project team Giro D’Italia: +31 (0)6 5174 9535
Press release - City of Amsterdam - 23 September 2009