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3h ago

Giro d'Italia to Start in Bulgaria in 2026

The move delivers a second straight Balkans opener after this year's Durres start.

Cycling - Giro d'Italia - Stage 1 - Durazzo to Tirana - Albania - May 9, 2025 General view during stage 1 REUTERS/Florion Goga/File Photo
Britain's Simon Yates (C) won the Giro in May after a daring solo attack on the penultimate stage in the high mountains

Overview

  • RCS Sport confirmed Bulgaria will host the Grande Partenza for the first time.
  • The 2026 edition is scheduled to run from May 9 to May 31.
  • It will be the 16th time the Giro begins outside Italy, continuing a post-2010 push to open abroad that included Jerusalem in 2018.
  • It marks a second consecutive Balkans launch and the third overall after Durres in 2025 and Athens in 1996.
  • RCS owner Urbano Cairo said foreign starts bring positive benefits and position the Giro as a global sporting ambassador.