Ever since it was first organised in 1988, the Giro Rosa has always been held in Italy.

But more than 25 years later, its organisers decided to hold part of the famous women's race in another country, choosing Slovenia as the first foreign partner.

Following a night prologue on 3 July in the heart of the Slovenian capital, cyclists will embark on the first, 102.5-km stage the next day in the town of Kamnik.

To check that everything is ready for the race, Giro Rosa organisers visited Slovenia earlier this week.

"I'm happy to say after the visit that Slovenia has lived up to it's reputation," Giro Rosa director Giuseppe Rivolta told the press.

He praised the Slovenian organisers for their efforts to develop cycling culture, women's cycling and competitions and showing they can be trusted with the organisation of the prologue and first stage of this big cycling competition.

He also said that "after a quarter of a century of organising the competition only in Italy, Slovenia will inject a breath of fresh air".

The Giro Rosa will last for 10 days, ending on 12 July in Italy's San Domenico di Varzo.