Is the Giro d'Italia is set to arrive in Japan? In case it is, it would be a premiere for a grand tour. In recent years there was talk of New York, Washington or the Middle East, but neither option turned out to be realistic. Now, the Asian path seems to be much more concrete for the Grande Partenza of 2017, that of the Centenary Giro .



The magazine Sport/Voetbalmagazine reports that organizers RCS have signed a preliminary agreement with the Japanese city of Shizuoka and its Prefecture, with a project of four stages in Japan, including one on Mount Fuji.



This year the Japanese prefecture of Shizuoka has made a partnership with the Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia to organize he first "Classic Fuji Carnia Zoncolan" which scheduled for August 30. Asatsu-DK, the third largest advertising agency in Japan, is involved and is actively seeking other sponsors, especially in the automotive industry.

The cost of the Asian Grande Partenza os around 35 million euro, 15 of which would be paid to RCS Sport who would need to pay for the teams to soften the problems of the long trip. In the project , the travel to Italy would be scheduled for the fifth and sixth day but the plans need UCI approval.

The final agreement should be signed by the end of 2015, the Belgian source reports. RCS is very active in the Asian market: the Giro has broadcast in Japan on J Sports and in China for years and the organizers of the Giro have signed an agreement with Sony just to extend the range of television broadcasts across the Asian continent.