The Giro d'Italia has requested a schedule change starting in 2023 to end in early June instead of late May to include the national holiday "Festa della Repubblica" on June 2. Race organizer RCS Sport hopes that this schedule change will increase the number of fans heading to the decisive mountain stages and reduce the risk of snow and extreme weather during the final week. Giro d'Italia director Mauro Veni told Cycling News in Sant'Angelo di Romagna on Wednesday, "We're hoping that this will be the first time we'll have a race in the Tour de France. [It's] because we think it's only natural that the Giro d'Italia should take advantage of public holidays during the race, as the Tour de France does. France has July 14, while Italy celebrates Festa della Repubblica on June 2.

Republic Day is a voting day to celebrate Italy's transition from a monarchy to a republic after World War II; in 2023 it will be a holiday on Friday, and Italian citizens will enjoy a long vacation.

The Giro used to be held in May and June, but the timing was moved up 20 years ago to allow the riders time to recover for the Tour de France. This is no longer an issue, as few riders now compete in both Grand Tours, and RCS Sport hopes to reposition the race to take advantage of Italian holidays.

"By shifting the Giro d'Italia a week, which was closer to June 2 in the current May slot, we (the race) can also celebrate Festa della Repubblica. I am convinced that by bringing more spectators along the roadside, we can make the Giro more exciting," Veni said.

"The weather is another reason. It's always difficult to predict the weather, but the fact that we're going to be a little bit later in the Alps and the high mountains of the Dolomites means that we can avoid bad weather and snow and race in warmer temperatures. For big mountain stages, you always have to be prepared for alternative routes. From a strictly sporting standpoint, this would be a little calmer."

The Giro route has suffered regular interruptions due to weather in recent seasons: in 2013, the stage from Stelvio to Val Martello was cancelled due to heavy snow, and in 2019, Gavia was taken off the route. Last year, two passos, Pordoi and Fedaia, were removed from the route of the 16th stage to Cortina.

In a recent interview with Wieler Fritz (opens in new tab), UCI President David Lapartiento cited the success of the recent fall Tour de Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, He declared that he was open to making significant changes to the World Tour calendar.

"It is the UCI that makes the decisions, but I think our reasons are fair. We hope the UCI will help us improve the Giro."