Per this article in PEZ Cycling News Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia NI Director Darach McQuaid said in a statement:

“We are very pleased to launch registration for the 2017 Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia NI. The event has quickly gained a reputation as a world class Gran Fondo and this is reflected in the number of out of state participants we saw in 2016, from as far away as New Zealand and North America. With the Giro d’Italia celebrating its 100th edition in 2017, we are working with RCS Sport to organise some special events to honor this. We are thankful to work with wonderful partners such as Tourism NI, Newry, Mourne & Down Council, Garmin, PSNI and many others.”

Tourism NI CEO John McGrillen said:

"We at Tourism NI are very satisfied to see the event grow and importantly, create a significant local economic impact and boost to tourism."