Tour de France race director Christian Prudhomme visited Italy on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of a future race, perhaps starting in Bologna in 2023 and visiting Florence and Tuscany.

Despite Italy's long tradition of cycling success, including Tour de France victories by Ottavio Bottecchia, Gino Bartali, Fausto Coppi, Gastone Nencini, Felice Gimondi, Marco Pantani, and Vincenzo Nibali Despite this, the French Grand Tour has never started in Italy, with only occasional stages crossing the Alps from France to Italy.

Pantani was born in Cesenatico on the Romagna coast, while Ncini was born in Barberino di Mugello, on the Tuscan side of the Apennines.

Tuscany hosted the 2013 UCI Road World Championships, and Emilia Romagna hosted the 2019 Giro d'Italia Grande Partenza.

The 2021 Tour de France will start in Copenhagen, Denmark, and the Grande Partenza will be held in Saint-Etienne in 2022.

Race organizer ASO expects millions of euros in fees to host the Grand Depart, with local expenses driving up the budget. Brussels reportedly spent more than €11 million to host the 2019 Grand Depart; €5 million was paid to ASO and another €6 million is said to have been spent on local and regional organizations.

Prudhomme met with Stefano Bonaccini, president of Emilia Romagna, Dario Nardella, mayor of Florence, sports officials, and Davide Cassani, president of the Emilia Romagna tourism board (former professional rider and current Italian national coach).

Both Emilia Romagna and Tuscany have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but not as badly as the northern region of Lombardy. The most serious impact is a major loss of international tourism, hence the need to promote the region and its capitals, Florence and Bologna.

"We have taken another step forward towards hosting the Tour in Emilia Romagna and Florence," said a joint statement from the two Italian regions.

"As no French race has ever started in Italy, there is a common desire to move forward with the project and create a historic moment. The idea is to promote "Made in Italy" products thanks to the regions involved and highlight our culture, art, countryside, fashion, food and traditions."