Paolo Bellino, CEO of RCS Sport, will be at the start of the Giro d'Italia, which has changed dramatically since the COVID-19 craze began. Restrictions have been eased and spectators will return to the annual "Party in May."

The 105th Corsa Rosa will start on Friday, May 6 in Budapest, Hungary, with a road race stage to the outskirts of Visegrad, and end on Sunday, May 29 with a 17.4 km individual time trial around Verona.

The past two Giro d'Italia have been held under strict COVID-19 regulations, with the 2020 race in October and the 2021 race with strict restrictions on spectator attendance. Bellino expects the Corsa Rosa to return to near normalcy this year.

"Starting May 1, the security level at COVID-19 will be lower, and for the first time in Italy, people will not have to wear masks in bars and restaurants. We expect a return to normalcy and the same number of people as before COVID, about 10 million," Bellino said.

"The worst thing, especially in the first year, was the lack of spectators on the road. A sport without spectators is not the same thing."

"The Giro is Italy's largest spectator event, with approximately 500,000 spectators per day. It is known as the party of May in Italy and marks the beginning of the tourist season. It is something people look forward to with excitement."

Budapest will host the 2022 Giro d'Italia after a two-year delay, after initial plans to host the Grande Palto were postponed due to a pandemic.

Hungary borders Ukraine, and Prime Minister Viktor Orban is a former ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who often opposes EU policies and ideals. Orban has criticized Russia's invasion of Ukraine and has labeled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as an "adversary."

Orban won the fourth round of elections in early April despite criticism accusing him of subverting democratic norms and restricting media freedom and minority rights. However, a referendum to limit the scope of sex education programs in schools, particularly banning content related to gender-affirming surgery, failed, and activists consider this a small victory.

Bellino tried to avoid discussion of politics and sports to avoid conflict with Hungary, which funds the Giro d'Italia Grande Partenza.

"I am a sports organizer and I believe that sport is the only moment in our social life where everyone can freely demonstrate their abilities and passions. There are no barriers there. I want to do the same for the Giro d'Italia in Budapest," he said cautiously.

"We don't want to take politics or anything else into consideration. I think that we, as the RCS and as the Giro d'Italia, are guaranteeing all people an incredible event and a possibility to live with us."

"I see no barriers and I think our intention is to create a great event, Italian style, where the best athletes in the world compete and give the opportunity for a great party."