The Giro d’Italia moves, explores, and plants seeds to grow. It did so last year in Albania, and in 2026 it will do the same in Bulgaria, chosen to host the Grande Partenza of next year’s edition. It will be the 16th foreign start in Giro history and the second consecutive one, something that hasn’t happened since the 1973–74 editions, when the race began first in Belgium and then in Vatican City.
As in 2022 with Hungary and 2025 with Albania, the Corsa Rosa will bring a wave of pink to a country with a limited cycling tradition, yet eager to make itself known internationally and let its people experience the magic of world-class racing. It’s the perfect way to showcase to the world the uniqueness of a nation that’s looking to grow both in tourism and in cycling.
Bulgaria already boasts its own national stage race – the Tour de Bulgarie – whose origins go way back to 1924. However, the country’s complex history has prevented the event from growing and opening up to Western riders. Until 1999, it remained reserved for amateurs, mostly local riders. In recent years, though, the race has embarked on a clear growth path, one that this Grande Partenza will only further pave. To date, just one Bulgarian rider has ever taken part in the Giro d’Italia: Nikolay Mihaylov, wearing the CCC Sprandi jersey in 2015.
