The Open-air theater in the Bulgarian town of Burgas warmly welcomed the 2026 Giro d’Italia (May 8–31). For the first time in its 109 editions, the Corsa Rosa kicks off in Bulgaria, marking the 15th Grande Partenza held outside Italy. The stage featured regional costumes and live music, setting the tone for the parade of the 23 teams competing in the Italian grand tour (Movistar is the only Spanish squad). Each team brought its best to the show.
Thousands of fans gathered to get a close look at some of the novelties this Giro brings, starting with the new kits of Ineos and EF Education. Both teams debuted fresh designs: the British squad unveiled a gray jersey with Netcompany as a new sponsor, while the American team opted for an alien head on the front, the latest in their long list of eccentricities.
Among the 184 riders on stage, only two know what it’s like to lift the prestigious Trofeo Senza Fine as champion: Egan Bernal (2021) and Jai Hindley (2022). However, neither received the loudest cheers in the coastal city of Burgas. That honor was shared by Filippo Ganna, the top favorite for this year’s sole time trial, and Jonas Vingegaard, the man to beat for the maglia rosa. “It’s very nice to be in Bulgaria. Being here is special for me. I’m really excited to have made the decision to ride the Giro. I’m coming with the ambition to win the overall classification,” warned the Dane amid local frenzy. His quest for the Triple Crown begins as the event closed with Ricchi e Poveri’s “Sarà perché ti amo.”
