site.btaUPDATED Sofia Ready to Host Giro d’Italia, Says Mayor Terziev
Sofia is ready to host the Giro d’Italia cycling race, with the capital set to become part of the history of the prestigious competition before the eyes of hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide, Mayor Vassil Terziev said in a Facebook post on Sunday.
On Sunday, Sofia hosts the finish of the Stage 3 of the Giro d’Italia, with the final line set at near the Monument to Tsar Liberator. Temporary traffic restrictions have been introduced in the city centre and along major boulevards, along with changes to public transport services. More than 800 police officers have been deployed to ensure traffic organization and security during the cycling race.
“We are counting down the final hours until the arrival of the Giro d’Italia in Sofia. Months of preparation, thousands of hours of work and a great anticipation are coming together in this moment,” Terziev wrote.
According to him, hosting the event is a significant moment for the city, which will be in the focus of international attention. “Sofia becomes part of history, watched by hundreds of millions of people around the world. Sofia is ready. Sofia is Giro!” the Mayor added.
In 2026 Bulgaria is hosting the Grande Partenza event of the 109th Giro d'Italia. Running through key centres of culture and wonders of nature, the route is divided into three stages, each taking one day from May 8 to 10.
The final third stage in Bulgaria of the cycling Giro d’Italia started Sunday in the southern city of Plovdiv. The peloton of 178 riders will set off at 13:15 from “Tsar Simeon Garden” Square and will cover 175 kilometres before finishing in the capital Sofia.
The race in Bulgaria began on May 8 in Nessebar, with the first stage finishing in Burgas, where French rider Paul Magnier crossed the line first.
The second stage from Burgas to Veliko Tarnovo on Saturday was won by Uruguayan Guillermo Thomas Silva, who also took the pink jersey as overall leader.
The start of the final race day in Bulgaria, before the peloton heads to Italy, will be given by Plovdiv Mayor Kostadin Dimitrov. The first section of the stage climbs gently toward the mountain resort of Borovets, while the final 75 kilometres are mostly downhill.
The finish in Sofia is on “Tsar Osvoboditel” Boulevard, with the awards ceremony taking place behind the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
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