New Giro director wants to make race more friendly

ROME (AP) -- The Giro d'Italia will be embarking on a new era in its 103-year history on Saturday when the 2012 edition kicks off with the first of three stages in Denmark.

After last year's race was marred by the death of Belgian rider Wouter Weylandt and the last-minute elimination of the harrowing Crostis descent, Angelo Zomegnan stepped aside as race director and was replaced by Michele Acquarone -- a business manager whose personality contrasts with Zomegnan's iron-fist approach.

Acquarone quickly identified four key areas to improve a race characterized in recent years by extreme difficulties: make it more comfortable and attractive for riders -- especially those who also want to win the Tour de France -- put more attention on safety, make it more fan friendly, and aim for an international audience.