Pope Leo XIV blessed the 159 cyclists competing in the Giro d’Italia as the three-week race’s final stage began with an unprecedented ride through the Vatican gardens behind St.

The Giro d'Italia peloton was blessed by Pope Leo XIV ahead of its final day of competition on Sunday. The Pope greeted the field before the start of the 143-kilometre stage, which began in Vatican City to pay tribute to the new leader of the Catholic Church and bid farewell to Pope Francis,

P icture the scene in the Visma-Lease a Bike team bus on the morning of the 20th stage of this fairytale edition of the Giro d'Italia. The previous day has been disappointing for

Italy also mourned the tragic passing of Daisy Gesink. The wife of former professional cyclist Robert Gesink died this week after a short illness, which was announced to the public on Saturday evening.