Wine lovers will appreciate a time trial in next year’s Giro dedicated to Chianti Classico

LONDON – Wine lovers will appreciate a time trial in next year’s Giro d’Italia dedicated to Chianti Classico.

The ninth stage of the race on May 15 will feature a hilly 40-kilometre (25-mile) route from Radda to Greve in Chianti — the heart of the Tuscan red wine-making region.

“It’s a great pleasure being able to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Chianti Classico wine hosting on our territory such an important international event,” Chianti Classico consortium chairman Sergio Zingarelli said.

The route will also pass through Castellina in Chianti, Madonna di Pietracupa, Sicelle, Panzano in Chianti before ending in Greve’s triangular Piazza Matteotti.

“This is going to be one of the most spectacular stages of the Giro 2016, both in a technical, riding respect as well as for its unique scenery,” Giro director Mauro Vegni said at Monday’s presentation in London. “A 40-kilometre individual time trial without a single meter of flat and almost at the middle of the race will define for sure who the potential winners are.”

Wine was also the theme for a time trial in last year’s race from Barbaresco to Barolo, won by Rigoberto Uran of Colombia.

While the full 2016 Giro route won’t be revealed until next month, organizers already announced that the race will start on May 6 with three stages in the Netherlands.