Giro d'Italia: Start in Bulgaria, no stage in South Tyrol

With its first-ever start in Bulgaria and the traditional finish in Rome, the 109th Giro d'Italia will take place from May 8th to 31st, 2026. For the second year in a row, South Tyrol will only be touched upon.

01 December 2025

From: Leo/dpa

A total of 3.459 kilometers and 49.150 meters of elevation gain await the professional cyclists in the world's second-largest cycling tour. It remains to be seen which of the superstars will participate. Recently, there has been speculation about the participation of two-time Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard from Denmark.

Dominator and world champion Tadej Pogacar, meanwhile, is likely to target the classics again in the spring. Last year, Briton Simon Yates won the Giro d'Italia.

Jonas Vingegaard could participate in the Giro d'Italia for the first time. © APA/afp / MIGUEL RIOPA

The Giro d'Italia kicks off with a three-day stage in Bulgaria. This is the 16th time the race has started abroad. It begins on the Black Sea coast with the stage from Nessebar to Burgas. The third day will also include a stop in the capital, Sofia.

Stage in the Dolomites

The decision is likely to be made in the final week on the tough stages in the Dolomites outside of South Tyrol. The queen stage, on the third-to-last day from Feltre to Alleghe, includes the 2.233-meter-high Passo Giau. Before that, the tenth stage features the only time trial of the race, a 40,2-kilometer course in Tuscany.

The 109th Giro d'Italia: