Baby Giro and Giro Femminile under threat

Four days from the conclusion of the Giro d'Italia for U26 and U23 riders and two weeks out from the start of the Giro d'Italia Femminile, organisers Egidio Event issued a dire plea: "Il Giro Under 26 e Giro Donne rischiano di morire" (the Giro d'Italia U26 and Women's Giro risks dying).

Mario Poli, executive general manager of Egidio Event, was responsible for launching the public SOS. "We come to the fore because of the seriousness [of the situation] with which we are faced," said Poli. "However, we maintain our promises to all: we will act - like always - with maximum responsibility.

"But we cannot hide our will to supply a [greater financial] contribution to cycling, yet we are in a 'bloodbath' financially. It is true: the technicalities did not allow a [potential] title sponsor after the budgets were closed, but it is equally true the media, and that of television in particular, should have offered greater [financial] consideration.

"If this situation continues till the Women's Giro, there can only be damaging consequences," Poli concluded.