New York Knicks’ Danilo Gallinari, Mark Sommers, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, Angelo Zomegnan and Italian Ambassador Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata City officials, cycling aficionados and business leaders gathered in the soaring atrium of the Italian Embassy in Washington Thursday evening to celebrate what they see as a historic opportunity — bringing the 2012 Giro d’Italia to the District. Since last November, rumors have circulated that promoters of the Giro, one of the three grand…

Photo by {ryan} When rumors were floated two weeks ago that the District might host an opening stage of the 2011 Giro d’Italia, local cyclists crossed their fingers for what would be one of the few opportunities to see the world’s best professional cyclists stateside. Not only did the rumor turn out to be true, but planning for not one, but two stages in the city are underway. CyclingNews is reporting that a group…