Just as the 2009 Giro d'Italia was drawing to a close in Rome, the organisers announced that the 2010 edition of the race will start in the Netherlands on May 6.
It will be only the ninth occasion that the Giro has started outside Italy in its 100-year history.
Organisers have provisionally scheduled three stages in Netherlands: Amsterdam, Utrecht and Middelburg. A possible excursion into neighbouring Belgium may follow before the riders transfer to Italy.
The full route will be unveiled in December.
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Giro d'Italia 2009 links
Stage reports
Stage 20: Gilbert springs late attack to win penultimate stage
Stage 19: Sastre takes second Giro mountain stage; Menchov safe in pink
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Stage 18: Second Giro stage win for Scarponi
Stage 17: Pellizotti wins on Blockhaus, Menchov remains in pink
Giro rest day review (May 26)
Stage 16: Sastre wins stage to Monte Petrano
Stage 15: Bertagnolli gifted stage win by Cervelo mix-up
Stage 14: Gerrans solos to win
Stage 13: Cavendish takes his third Giro win and prepares to head home
Stage 12: Menchov storms to Giro TT win and race lead
Stage 11: Cavendish romps to second Giro stage win
Stage 10: Di Luca lays down the gauntlet
Giro rest day review (May 18)
Stage nine: Cavendish blitzes rivals to win in Milan
Stage eight: Siutsou makes it two in a row for Columbia-Highroad
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