Fortnite<\/a> with a custom map that mirrors parts of the real race.<\/p>\nCall it a GC fight with a respawn button. From breakaways to battle royale, yeah, that\u2019s where we are now. Battle bus > team bus?<\/p>\n
Battle Royale d\u2019Italia<\/h2>\n
\u201cThe initiative is the result of a collaboration between RCS Sport and NOVO Esports, an Italian leader on the international competitive gaming scene, leveraging an increasingly young and diverse audience while tapping into Fortnite\u2019s ecosystem of over 650 million registered users worldwide to generate integrated online and offline engagement,\u201d the PR reads. (What a time to be alive.)<\/p>\n
As someone who definitely does not play Fortnite at all, like, ever, because I am an adult, the news is something. (BTW add me on the PlayStation Network, MarshmalloMatViking123).<\/p>\n
Game on<\/h2>\n
The project drops players into a virtual version of the Corsa Rosa, built around eight locations from this year\u2019s route, Naples, Viareggio, Aosta and Rome among them, stitched together into something that feels closer to a stage race than a free-for-all. There are checkpoints, timed efforts and unlockable jerseys\u2026 erm, skins? The maglia rosa, but make it unlockable.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not just cosmetic, either. For the first time in the game, bikes are being introduced as a way to move through the world, a detail that leans heavily into the Giro\u2019s identity rather than just borrowing its name.<\/p>\n
2026 Giro<\/h2>\n
Anyway, the actual Giro begins May 8 and runs to May 31.<\/p>\n
There is at least one Canadian confirmed, Lidl-Trek\u2019s Derek Gee-West. The national champion has had a decent start to the year and picked up some extra climbing miles at the recent Tour of the Alps. The Giro is a big goal for him this season, as he looks to better his fourth place from 2025. There will probably be a few more Canucks added shortly. Visma-Lease a Bike\u2019s Jonas Vingegaard is racing, with the Italian Grand Tour a race he has not won yet.<\/p>\n
Canadian Cycling Magazine<\/em> will be covering the race every day, and definitely not playing Fortnite while WFH, because video games are, apparently, frowned upon during work hours. There is also daily coverage on FloBikes.com, but if you miss it, just check back here for a report or two, plus some photos.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n