The Giro d’Italia crosses borders, explores new horizons, and builds lasting connections. In 2026, the chosen country to host the Grande Partenza of the Corsa Rosa is Bulgaria. It will be the 16th foreign start in the history of the race and the second in a row. The Giro will bring a wave of pink to a country eager to present itself on the international stage and to share with its own people the magic of world-class cycling.

The Grande Partenza 2026 will take the Giro across Bulgaria from east to west, visiting some of its most striking landscapes and most important cities. The opening stage unfolds along the shores of the Black Sea, from the enchanting peninsula of Nessebar – linked to the mainland by a man-made isthmus – to Burgas, Bulgaria’s fourth-largest city. The stage is completely flat, perfectly suited to the fast wheels and destined to award the first Maglia Rosa to a sprinter.

The second stage will also roll out from Burgas, this time over a long route that leads the peloton to Veliko Tarnovo, perched on the rocky banks of the Jantra River, a tributary of the Danube. Here the fast men may find themselves in difficulty: near the finish, riders must tackle the climb to Lyaskovets Monastery Pass, where those with a sharp acceleration can unleash their full power.

The third and final stage on Bulgarian soil will connect the country’s two most populous cities, Plovdiv and Sofia, its capital. The largely flat profile is sharply interrupted by the climb to Borovets Pass, near the well-known ski resort, but the sprinters will have enough distance and terrain to come across, and to leave Bulgaria with an unforgettable memory.

Friday 8 May 2026

147 km, 500 m elevation gain

Flat stage with very short rises concentrated in a 22 km circuit that is covered twice around mid-stage. The route follows the coastline and passes the finish line once before heading towards Sozopol, where riders tackle two laps of a fast circuit featuring short undulations, including the KOM at Cape Agalina (twice). Return to Burgas along the coast on fast, flowing roads, finishing in the city centre.

Final kilometres
Wide, mostly straight roads. Slight uphill in the final kilometre. Last corner at 300 m. Finish on 8 m wide asphalt.

Saturday 9 May 2026

221 km, 2600 m elevation gain

Rolling stage crossing Balkan valleys. Flat opening on wide roads, becoming more demanding after Sliven with multiple climbs and descents. Approach to Veliko Tarnovo via Lyaskovets, where the demanding Lyaskovets Monastery climb (KOM) comes 11 km from the finish. Descent into Veliko Tarnovo before the final challenging kilometres.

Final kilometres
Last 3 km mixed. Flat first section, then uphill through Tsarevets with short cobbled (porphyry) sections and steep gradients (up to 9%). Final kilometre mostly flat with a short descent before rising again to the finish. Last 500 m straight on 8 m wide asphalt.

Sunday 10 May 2026

175 km, 1600 m elevation gain

Stage that can be divided into two parts: the first is a steady false flat uphill and ends at the Borovets ski resort, while the second is a steady false flat downhill all the way to the finish in Sofia. The stage is held on wide roads, including in the mountains. In the final part of the approach to the city, the route enters a fast-flowing road section.

Final kilometres
The last 8 km are virtually straight and all on a very slight downhill gradient until the final kilometre, where the road levels out. Finish width: 8 m.

Watch the route video of the Grande Partenza Bulgaria 2026.