the idea of the holding a bicycle race that navigated around italy was first suggested when "la gazzetta dello sport" editor tullo morgagni sent a telegram to both the paper's owner, emilio costamagna, and cycling editor, armando cougnet, stating the need for an italian tour. at the time "la gazzetta"'s rival, "corriere della sera" was planning on holding a bicycle race of its own, after the success they had gained from holding an automobile race. morgagni then decided to try and hold their race before "corriere della sera" could hold theirs, but "la gazzetta" lacked the money. however, after the success "la gazzetta" had with creating the giro di lombardia and milan–san remo, the owner costamagna decided to go through with the idea. their bike race was announced on august 7, 1908 in the first page of that day's edition of "la gazzetta dello sport". the race was to be held in may of 1909. the idea of the race was inspired by the tour de france and the success that "l'auto" had gained from it.