Therefore, the Socialist Party Vlora affiliated branch has requested the Central Election Commission to extend the voting hours in the city tomorrow, until 22:00, from 19:00 as set in the Electoral Code.

“Appreciating that the movement of citizens towards the polling stations may be difficult or impossible, we request that the voting hours for all these polling stations be extended until 22:00.

The “Giro d’Italia 2025” will start at around 13:15, from Lungomare and end at around 17:26 at “Sadik Zotaj” Street.”/p.s./

Albania is lucky enough to host the first 3 stages of the “Giro d’Italia” bicycle racing, where 184 cyclists compete divided into 23 teams.

At the end of the first stage, Danish cyclist Mads Pedersen came in the first place, finishing the race in 3 hours, 36 minutes and 24 seconds.

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared in the social media an interview with cyclist Mads Pederson at the beginning and end of the race.

Asked if Albania would be his favorite country, Pedersen said, “If I win, of course it will be my favorite country”.

What now?! “Finally! It’s my favorite now”, he said after being declared the winner.

The “Giro d’Italia” will continue today with the second stage, which will be held in Tirana. It is a 13.7 km individual time trial through the streets of the capital, including a 1.2 km climb with a gradient of 5.7%. /p.s./

The race is set to start from “Skanderbeg” Square at around 13:30 and it will end at the “Mother Teresa” Square at around 17:15.

In context of the second stage of the “Giro d’Italia” international cycling race, the Tirana Police will prohibit the circulation and parking of vehicles along several main streets in Tirana.

The Tirana Local Police Directorate requested the understanding and cooperation of citizens/drivers in respecting these temporary restrictions and inviteed them to respect the instructions of the Police services, in order to guarantee order and security during the development of this international sporting event. /p.s./

For the first time in history, the tour will have its first three stages in Albania. The start of the First Stage was at 13:10 from Durrës to reach the country’s capital, Tirana, after 160 kilometers.

184 cyclists started the ride that is set to end at about 17:00 hrs. in Tirana. This event is broadcast in more than 200 countries around the world and more than 800 million viewers will be watching it for three days with their eyes on Albania.

There are 3500 police officers who will guarantee security in this race. The other two stages will take place in Tirana on May 10 and in Vlora on May 11.

Today’s first stage, Durrës – Tirana started at the Port of Durrës, where the teams warmed up and rode until they reached KM 0, in Durrës, where started the race. The athletes will ride further towards Robi Mount, in Kavaja, Rrogozhina, Peqin, Papër, Bradashesh, Gracen, Mullet, TEG, Sauk, Surrel, Tirana. In Tirana, they will cycle from Surrel, along “Xhanfize Keko” Street, towards “Martur’s of the Nation” Boulevard, then again on “Rexhekri” Street, towards Surrel, on “Xhanfize Keko” Street and on “Martyrs of the Nation” Boulevard. The end of the race is expected to be around 17:03 at “Mother Teresa” Square. /j.p/p.s./

“We want this historic event that will promote our city in the international media to be joyful and enjoyable for all citizens of Tirana. Therefore, we will ask for everyone’s cooperation. Some of Tirana’s main roads will be blocked for car traffic, while public transport has been diverted. We would like people to consult in advance the itinerary they should choose, before going to work and school. All our kindergartens and nurseries will continue to remain open and for those parents who will have difficulty picking up their children at the usual times, our staff will be there with extended hours”, said Ristani.

In addition to cooperation, she also underlined the importance of informing and consulting with the website of the Municipality of Tirana, to make the “Giro d’Italia” a beautiful experience and to be enjoyed by everyone.

“We want this to be a memorable experience for everyone. Please consult our pages to see the blocked roads and the times when they will be blocked for cars and enjoy the Giro d’Italia throughout the weekend”, concluded Ristani.

“Giro d’Italia” starts at “Skanderbeg” Square in Tirana, on May 9 at 13:00, to continue the itinerary in the other two cities, that are Durrës and Vlora. It will end at “Mother Teresa” Square, where the cyclists are expected to arrive around 18:00. /j.p/p.s./

“Giro d’Italia 2025” is set to start on May 9 in Albania, where there will take place the first three stages. And it will consist of 21 stages to end in Rome on May 25.

Meanwhile, on May 7 the participating teams to the tournament will be presented at “Skanderbeg” square at 18.30.

Prime Minister Edi Rama appreciated this as an historic moment for Albania and shared an informative video in the social media.

“For the first time, one of the most prestigious events in world cycling, Giro d’Italia comes to the heart of our country”, said Rama.

The prime minister extended an invitation to all citizens to take part in the official ceremony of the opening and presentation of the teams at the “Skanderbeg” square in Tirana downtown, on Wednesday at 18:30.

“An enchanting evening with official presentation of the participating teams, artistic performances and a festive atmosphere that arouses emotions before the grand start on May 9-10-11 in Durrës, Tirana and Vlora. Let us celebrate together this unique event that puts Albania on the map of the world map”, wrote the prime minister. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

The training is being held at the Security Academy, by senior experts, representatives of the Police and the Italian Ministry of the Interior, including Eugenio Amorosa, advisor to the Italian Ministry of the Interior, Mirella Pontiggia and head of Verona Traffic Police Section, accompanied by experts from the Italian Security Office in Tirana.

The experts were received by Rector of the Security Academy Ilir Mandro and Director of the Traffic Police Directorate Altin Qato.

Rector Mandro acquainted the team of senior Italian experts with transformation of the Academy and assured them that the State Police is maximally committed to ensuring that this activity takes place in full security conditions, in order to affect the further improvement of the image of the Albania in the world.

Meanwhile, Qato stated that despite the lack of experience for activities of this scale or the increased commitment of the police officers during the electoral process, the State Police will successfully cope with the progress of this activity, by coordinating actions with all other responsible institutions.

This several-day training will include theoretical training and field visits to the regions of Tirana, Durrës, Elbasan and Vlora, where there will take place 3 stages of the “Giro d’Italia 2025″ tour, on May 9-11, 2025. /j.p/p.s./

Minister Manastirliu said that Albania is getting ready to host one of the most prestigious sporting events, among the most followed in the world, which will start in our country in May.

“Albania is now a tourism hub and undoubtedly the “Giro d’Italia” will bring an international audience with more than 800 million viewers who will follow it. We are very happy and are working to ensure everything necessary to guarantee that tits first three stages in the cities of Durrës, Tirana and Vlora are successful, and we are also working to organize festive activities in all the cities where the “Giro d’Italia will pass”, said Manastirliu.

For the first time, Albania will be the epicenter of this international event, becoming part of a prestigious list of host countries.

This is a unique opportunity to promote our natural and cultural assets, which will be showcased through the race and international broadcasts; Albanian tourism, attracting visitors from all over the world to explore our country and enjoy Albanian hospitality. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

In a video message shortly before the start in Rome, for the public presentation of the “Giro d’Italia”, the prime minister focused on the significance of this sporting activity for our country.

While describing it as one of the largest annual sporting events, which is broadcast by 200 televisions around the world, Rama emphasized that, “This year Albania has been chosen as the place of the Grand Start, the country where the first 3 stages will take place”.

“For three consecutive days, the beauties of our country, Durrës and Kruja with their history and wonderful landscapes; Tirana with its impressive development; Vlora with its river valley, with the peak of Llogara, with the waters of the Ionian and Adriatic, will be exposed to the eyes of 800 million television viewers. Besides, there are the tens of thousands of cycling fans who will come to Albania to follow their idols closely”, said Rama.

This major sporting event, according to PM Rama, “is another meaningful reflection of the growth of our country’s international popularity”.

Rama emphasized that, “Until a few years ago, such events and developments could not even be imagined”.

‘The Grand Start of the “Giro D’Italia” in Albania is yet another special impetus for the further growth of our tourism industry, which is a new industry, but which just closed last year with almost 12 million tourists.

“Albania is becoming more and more important day by day and its progress towards the EU by 2030 continues daily, uninterrupted and unstoppable,” Rama said. /p.s./

The foreign media has echoed the news which has been published by 700 news sources in 70 different countries.

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared in the social media this morning the story published by the “Sky Sport” in Italy, while emphasizing that “Giro d’Italia” is one of the most watched events in the world.

“The Grande Partenza” (Grand Start) of the Giro d’Italia from Albania in the coming May (one of the most watched sporting events in the world, with over 800 million viewers through screens in 200 countries around the world), has been published in 70 different countries by 700 news sources,” Rama wrote.

“Giro d’Italia”, one of the most famous sporting events in the world, chose Albania among many candidates to host “La Grande Partenza 2025, which will be broadcast live on over 200 televisions around the world.

The “Giro d’Italia” is an annual multiple-stage bicycle race primarily held in Italy, while also starting in, or passing through, other countries. The first race was organized in 1909 to increase sales of the newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport and the race is still run by a subsidiary of that paper’s owner.

Hundreds of cyclists are expected to be present throughout a week, participating in many events.

“Giro d’Italia Grande Partenza” is an event that in the 114-year history of the race has only been transferred 14 times outside the Italian borders. The first three stages are expected to take place in Albania, to continue the activity in Italy. /p.s./