A Historic Bulgarian Grand Départ

For the first time in history, the Giro d'Italia will start in Bulgaria. The 109th edition of the Corsa Rosa kicks off on Friday, May 8, 2026, in the Black Sea coastal town of Nesebăr, marking the 16th time—and second consecutive year—that the race begins outside Italy.

The route, the final one designed by outgoing race director Mauro Vegni, was unveiled at the Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone in Rome.

The Numbers

• Total distance: 3,459 km across 21 stages
• Elevation gain: 49,150 metres
• Summit finishes: 7 (all above 2,000m)
• Individual time trial: 1 (40.2 km)
• Flat stages: 8
• Mountain stages: 5
• Medium-mountain stages: 7

Week 1: From the Black Sea to the Blockhaus

The Bulgarian opening features three stages: Nesebăr to Burgas (Stage 1), a hilly run to Veliko Tarnovo (Stage 2), and Plovdiv to Sofia (Stage 3).

The race returns to Italian soil at Stage 4, rolling out from Catanzaro near the tip of the boot to Cosenza.

The first major GC test arrives at Stage 7 with a summit finish at the Blockhaus—13.6 km averaging 8.4%, with the final 10 km ramping up to 9.4%.

Stage 8 brings a classic "tappa dei muri" with a punchy finale in Fermo, followed by Stage 9's summit finish at Corno alle Scale, where the final 3 km average nearly 10%.

Week 2: The Decisive Time Trial

After the second rest day, Stage 11 delivers the race's only individual time trial: a flat, 40.2 km test along the Tyrrhenian coast from Viareggio to Massa. This could be decisive for GC contenders.

Stage 14 brings the Aosta Valley climbs with a summit finish at Pila—15.9 km at 7.3%. Stage 15 provides relief with a completely flat run into Milan.

Week 3: Dolomite Drama

The final week is where the Giro will be won and lost.

Stage 16 opens in Switzerland with a brutal 113 km featuring nearly 3,000m of climbing, finishing at Carì (11.2 km at 8%).

Stage 19 is the queen stage—a Dolomite tappone from Feltre to Alleghe with 5,000m of elevation gain. The route includes the Passo Duran, Forcella Staulanza, Passo Giau, and Passo Falzarego before the summit finish at Piani di Pezzè (4.9 km at 9.8%).

Stage 20 features a double ascent of Piancavallo (14.5 km at 7.8%)—climb it twice, then pray.

Stage 21 concludes in Rome for the fourth consecutive year.

Rest Days

• May 11 (after Bulgarian stages)
• May 18 (mid-race)
• May 25 (before final week push)

Who Will Ride?

The route's emphasis on climbing over time trialing may tempt Jonas Vingegaard or Remco Evenepoel to attempt the Giro-Tour double—last achieved by Tadej Pogačar in 2024. Both riders have expressed interest but were waiting for the route announcement before committing.

With seven summit finishes and nearly 50,000 metres of climbing, this is a Giro built for the pure climbers. The sprinters get their chances, but the maglia rosa will be decided in the mountains.