Clarified: The Future of Tirreno-Adriatico, Milan-Sanremo and Il Lombardia

The statements made by Michele Acquarone, Managing Director at RCS Sport, that were quoted in the Dutch De Telegraaf newspaper have been clarified by Acquarone. "My friends of the Telegraaf have exaggerated my thoughts but the substance of what they have written is correct. My comments were much wider than what was reported and which covered the problem of overcrowding on the racing calendar, and the overlap of important races. For example, Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico. But, I want to add that Tirreno-Adriatico is a flagship event for RCS Sport and our aim is to give it the right visibility. For years we have a cast that is better than Paris-Nice but we have to collide with the force of ASO (the Tour de France organizer) and the contracts that are "imposed" on broadcasters. We are not so powerful but with the new agreement signed with IMG we hope to move forward. We cannot sit still and suffer forever. "

Acquarone continued regarding moving Milan-Sanremo and Il Lombardia to Sundays rather then the Saturdays when they are held now, "There are those who are studying the problem to ensure that our races are seen by all. Our intent is to further enhance our great heritage, not wasting it."

"The future is now," continued Acquarone. "The UCI has already opened discussions to study how to solve the problem of the calendar and it has already held a first meeting in Paris which was attended by Mauro Vegni. And I'm sure we can reach a good solution for the UCI, for RCS Sport and cycling. These are my thoughts: the Telegraaf exaggerated some comments but I want to be clear that Tirreno-Adriatico, Milan-Sanremo and Il Lombardia will not be touched other than on the calendar."

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