After visiting the Black Sea and the Balkan Mountains, the Giro’s Bulgarian Grande Partenza concludes in the capital, Sofia, which will bid farewell to the race before the pink caravan heads back to Italy. Stage 2 will likely have reshuffled the GC, while Stage 3, from Plovdiv to Sofia, could once again favor the sprinters.
The peloton will roll out from Plovdiv, in the heart of Thrace – one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, with roots tracing back to the Thracians and later shaped by the Greeks and Romans. The city stands on seven hills and is famed for its 1st-century Roman theatre, still in use today. Its old town preserves houses from the Bulgarian National Revival, stone alleys, and Orthodox churches. Today, Plovdiv is a vibrant cultural and university center, known for its creative district Kapana and for hosting major European events.
Heading toward the capital, the stage is broken by the Borovets Pass, about 70 km from the finish. This is Bulgaria’s oldest ski resort, developed in the late 19th century as a royal hunting retreat. Located at around 1,300 m, it offers alpine ski slopes, summer trails, and access to Mount Musala, the highest peak in the Balkans. The climb is around 9 km at 5–6%, and though too far from the finish to be decisive, it could still trouble the sprinters if any team decides to turn the screws.
The Giro d’Italia 2026 in Bulgaria
After that, the run-in to Sofia is clear. Over the centuries, the city has been a crossroads of Byzantine, Ottoman, and national influences, becoming Bulgaria’s capital in 1879. Today, it’s the political and cultural heart of the country, home to government institutions, universities, and museums. Sofia combines ancient remains (Roman ruins, medieval churches) with modern districts, reflecting a constant evolution while maintaining a strong Bulgarian identity.
Once the Maglia Rosa and the other jerseys have been properly celebrated, it will be time to pack up and head back to Italy.
Click here for more details on the Bulgarian stages of the Grande Partenza 2026!
