Organizers of the Giro d'Italia Donnay said they may consider changing the date of the upcoming race in 2022 to coexist with the Tour de France Femme, which will be held in July.

The 2022 race, officially announced on Thursday, promises several changes, including two hours of live TV coverage per day and a prize purse of 250,000 euros to match the Tour de France Femme.

The Giro Donne currently takes place in early July and this year will end 13 days before the start of the Tour de France Femme; it has also been proposed to combine the race with the RCS-sponsored men's Giro d'Italia in May, but PMG Sport says this is not a priority.

"As organizers and together with the UCI, we are evaluating the best date on the women's calendar for the Giro d'Italia," said Roberto Ruini, founder of PMG Sport and general director of the race.

"The women's cycling calendar, not the Giro d'Italia men's, is the key to guaranteeing the space between the two races, the Giro d'Italia men and the Tour de France women.

The women's stage race calendar is getting busier and busier, with the women's Tour in June and the Battle of the North in August being factors to consider.

Several riders have stated that they will only compete in either the Giro or the Tour, but Luini expects the Tour to be a plus for women's cycling rather than a threat to the Giro.

"When this very large organization, ASO, decides to reintroduce the Tour de France femme, it is a strong indication that women's cycling is growing rapidly. I don't think there will be any competition, but it is a great opportunity to develop the race together and to develop the women's cycling movement together."

." The prize money set at 250,000 euros is a great testament to this growth."

PMG Sports has not yet revealed exactly where the additional funds to increase the prize money and promise live coverage will come from, but confirmed that the budget has increased.

Ruini mentioned both "local agencies involved" in the race route and new sponsors at the race presentation on Thursday.

"I didn't mention sponsors today because I want to do it with specific communication. Today we focused on the stages, which are a feature of the race," Luini said.

"More details on the agreements we have signed with Eurosport Discovery Group and Rai, including media exposure, will be provided in a dedicated communication in the coming weeks.