Italian equivalent of ASO, the RCS company could be bought by a Saudi investment fund, reports Il Giornale on Friday November 29. The desire of the PIF (Public Investment Fund) to invest in Cycling is part of a global vision of promoting Saudi Arabia through sport.
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The Giro d’Italia could come under the Saudi flag, just like Milan – San Remo and Tirreno-Adriatico. | PHOTO: LUCA BETTINI / AFP
After football and golf, Saudi Arabia is focusing on cycling. According to the Italian media The newspaper the PIF (Public Investment Fund) would be interested in the purchase of RCS, the organizing company of the Tour of Italy, but also of Tirreno-Adriatico and Milan – San Remo. These major events in the cycling calendar could thus come under the Saudi flag.
A new step in cycling for Saudi Arabia
Italian counterpart of ASO, the company behind the Tour de France, RCS could be reorganized with a view to selling it to the Saudi investment fund. The Middle Eastern state could therefore take a second step in cycling, after the arrival of AlUla as co-sponsor of Jayco.
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If this takeover were to materialize, it would not be surprising to see a Tour of Italy starting from Saudi Arabia, especially since the Giro is not frightened by the distant Grand Départs. In 2018, it was Jerusalem which launched hostilities, while the 2025 edition should start from Albania.
