Giro d’Italia promoter RCS Sport is close to a deal with the Association International des Groupes Cyclistes Professionels, an umbrella group of cycling’s leading teams, that will give the teams a share of race broadcast revenues.
The Cyclingnews website said such the deal would mark a historic moment for the sport. Traditionally, cycling race organisers have kept all broadcast income from their events. The development would safeguard the financial futures of several teams and would ensure teams are able to send their top riders to compete in RCS Sport’s events, the report said.
Jonathan Vaughters, president of the umbrella cycling group, said he was “excited” about the potential partnership, although he added that a deal has not yet been finalised. “I’m very pleased with the negotiations with RCS and hope to have a deal that’s mutually beneficial at some time in the near future,” he said.
The 2012 Giro d’Italia commences in Herning, Denmark on Saturday and concludes in Milan on May 27.
RCS Sport’s other Italian cycling races include the Tirreno-Adriatico, Milan-San Remo and the Giro di Lombardia.