The start of the 2026 Giro d'Italia is planned to take place in Bulgaria, where the first three stages will be raced. However, disagreements over travel cost compensation between teams and the UCI, as well as political unrest, are causing uncertainty around the Grande Partenza in Bulgaria, reports Escape.
On May 8th, the first stage is supposed to start from the city of Nessebar. Due to the long distances some teams have to cover (the distance between Nessebar and the Visma | Lease a Bike service course, for example, is 2,500 kilometers), the travel expenses the teams have to shoulder are rising significantly, especially since teams need to deploy a double crew of support staff and accompanying vehicles to ensure the continuation of the Giro in Italy.
Usually, teams are compensated for the extra costs of a foreign start. In this case, however, the amount proposed by RCS is considered insufficient by the teams. The AIGCP (the teams’ association) suggested a starting sum of 160,000 euros. RCS then countered with an offer of 115,000 euros plus a 5,000-euro voucher for WizzAir, one of the few airlines flying into Burgas, the nearest airport. Shortly after the route presentation, RCS came up with a second offer of 125,000 euros, but this was also rejected by the AIGCP. Should the two organizations fail to reach an agreement, the conflict will have to be resolved by the ‘Professional Cycling Council,’ a kind of parliament for cycling, Escape reports.
Fall of government causes even more uncertainty
Furthermore, the political situation in Bulgaria could also throw a wrench in the works. Earlier this month, the Bulgarian government resigned following ongoing demonstrations against corruption. “New elections probably won't take place before March. It is likely that a new government, interim or regular, will also support the Giro start, but perhaps not with the same enthusiasm as the previous government,” said Bulgarian cycling journalist Simon Kichukov in an interview with Escape.
RCS has not responded to questions from Escape, but it is unlikely that the participating teams will boycott the start, and the event’s actual jeopardy remains low.
| Date | Stage | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08-05 | 1 |  Nessebar | Burgas |
| 09-05 | 2 | Burgas | Veliko Tarnovo |
| 10-05 | 3 | Plovdiv | Sofia |
| 12-05 | 4 |  Catanzaro | Cosenza |
| 13-05 | 5 | Praia a Mare | Potenza |
| 14-05 | 6 | Paestum | Napoli |
| 15-05 | 7 | Formia | Blockhaus |
| 16-05 | 8 | Chieti | Fermio |
| 17-05 | 9 | Cervia | Corno alle Scale |
| 19-05 | 10 | Viareggio | Massa |
| 20-05 | 11 | Porcari | Chiavari |
| 21-05 | 12 | Imperia | Novi Ligure |
| 22-05 | 13 | Alessandria | Verbania |
| 23-05 | 14 | Aosta | Pila |
| 24-05 | 15 | Voghera | Milano |
| 26-05 | 16 |  Bellinzona | Carì |
| 27-05 | 17 | Cassano d Adda | Andalo |
| 28-05 | 18 | Fai della Paganella | Pieve di Soligo |
| 29-05 | 19 | Feltre | Piani di Pezzè |
| 30-05 | 20 | Gemona del Friuli | Piancavallo |
| 31-05 | 21 | Roma | Roma |
