Tadej Pogacar will start the defence of his Giro d'Italia title in Albania after it was announced that the first three stages of the 2025 edition will be held away from Italy.

"With such a launch we are really an Italy across the coast welcoming an event which is not only a sporting one but also a popular one," Albanian prime minister Edi Rama said.

The opening stage, on May 9, will start in the port city of Durres and finish in Tirana along a hilly 102-mile route.

Tirana, the capital city, will host a 8.5-mile individual time trial for stage 2 the following day.

The third stage, on May 11, will be another hilly leg of 99 miles, starting and finishing in the coastal city of Vlore, which is directly across the Adriatic from the Italian region of Puglia, where the race will resume on May 13 after a rest day.

Albania has seen a significantly increase in the number of western and other foreign tourists in the last two years, reaching more than 10 million in 2024.

"I do hope for two things: the sun and Albanians' joy because I hope they will come out into the streets as fans," said Paolo Bellino, chief executive of race organiser RCS Sport.

It will be the 15th time the Giro has started outside Italy, but its first visit to Albania. The rest of next year's route will be announced next month.