Giro in Belgium

Because of Italian miners who died in some mining accident there in Wallone.
In tribute to them, right?
There is large Italian community in south of Belgium, am I right?

Thats what I've heard aswell. Although I dont think it was the sole reason.

Bjørn P.Dal said:

Thats what I've heard aswell. Although I dont think it was the sole reason.

Well, there's always some financial reason too.
But this (miners and Italian community) and fact that Belgium is country with greatest cycling tradition are main reasons why Giro is starting from there, and Tour often visits it.

Did a search:

"This year's Giro start, with four stages in the "black" coal mining country of Wallonia has a special connection with Italy. After WW2, many Italians emigrated north to eastern Belgium to find work in the coal mines and this year's Giro will commemorate the 136 Italian miners killed in a tragic fire fifty years ago at the Bois du Cazier mine on August 8, 1956. Today, almost 300 thousand Belgians of Italian origin live in the region and thus, the organization of the Giro d'Italia decided to reach out to their people. Mr. Gerard Gaston who represented the Region Wallon at the Giro d'Italia presentation explained, "We're delighted to host the start of the Giro d'Italia in 2006; it's a major international event. We have many major cycling events in Wallonia like Liege-Bastogne-Liege and many Italians have perfectly integrated in our region, including our Prime Minister Elio DiRupo.""

http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2006/giro06/?id=default

velodrome.co.nr said:

anybody know why the giro is starting in belgium this year?

There are some great stages in Belgium. I like the one who will finish at the Citadelle in Namur. It's one of these typical hills in the Ardennes, not very high but pretty steep. It's also the finish of the semi-classic GP De Wallonnie and i saw a great attack of Phlippe Gilbert last year. He was chased by Tom Boonen and Nuyens won. At the Giro this stage could be something for Bettini or Di Luca, maybe Boogerd... By the way Boogerd told me that he would like to start in this years Giro.

cyclingheroes said:

There are some great stages in Belgium. I like the one who will finish at the Citadelle in Namur. It's one of these typical hills in the Ardennes, not very high but pretty steep. It's also the finish of the semi-classic GP De Wallonnie and i saw a great attack of Phlippe Gilbert last year. He was chased by Tom Boonen and Nuyens won. At the Giro this stage could be something for Bettini or Di Luca, maybe Boogerd... By the way Boogerd told me that he would like to start in this years Giro.

cheers all