According to Dutch media, it has been confirmed that the grande partenza of 2016 Giro d’Italia will be held in the Netherlands, following successful negotiations between Libéma Profcycling represented by former cyclist Cees Priem and RCS Sport.

The Netherlands has already hosted Giro’s departure twice: 2002 edition in Groningen and four years ago in Amsterdam. According to NOS.nl, Den Bosch has a biggest chance to become a host city of the grande partenza this time around as body responsible for the organizational part reached an agreement with city government, however, the issue it yet to be discussed during the meeting of city council.

The grande partenza of the Italian grand tour will be the next cycling event held in the Netherlands, following the start of 2010 edition, Track Cycling World Championships in 2011 and next season’s grand depart of the Tour de France, to be held in Utrecht. Reportedly, Priem was the prominent figure which stood behind all of those negotiations.