Essex in talks to host future Giro d'Italia Big Start

The Giro d'Italia Big Start could be heading to the UK in the coming years, as authorities in Essex confirm they've started negotiations to bring the race to these shores.

RCS Sport is keen to take the race around Europe, with Belfast hosting the start in 2014 and the Netherlands confirmed to welcome the first three stages in 2016.

While negotiations are in the early stages, Active Essex are reportedly working hard to bring sporting events to the county.

Gary Sullivan, Chair of Active Essex, told Heart: "Active Essex are now starting talks with the Giro d'Italia to see if we can get them to come here.

"We have responsibility, and we take it very seriously, to make sure we can bring those world-class sporting events to Essex.

"The time-frame? I don't think I can commit to that as it's likely to be a lengthy negotiation.

"We think we can make a good argument for them to persuade them to come here to enjoy our hospitality and the Essex countryside, so I'm very confident."

>>> Watch highlights from the 2015 Giro d’Italia (video)

The Giro d'Italia has started outside of Italy on 10 occasions, with San Marino, Monaco, Belgium (twice), Vatican City, Greece, France, Netherlands (twice), Denmark and Northern Ireland all hosting the opening stages.

The news comes days after the Evening Standard reported that London is keen to host the start of the 2017 Tour de France.