ROMA (ITALPRESS) – Two races along the Italian roads and not only, one consecutive to the other. 2026, men and women were presented in Rome. Great enthusiasm of Urbano Cairo, president of Rcs Media Group, who spoke of “a Giro d’Italia that has a strong economic impact, a great showcase on Italy and its excellence. This generates on one side exports and on the other positive economic impact, with a great boost on tourism“. The men’s race, scheduled from 8 to 30 May, will leave for the sixteenth time abroad, with three stages in Bulgaria. The edition number 109 presents eight stages of plain, seven of medium mountain and five of high mountain with seven uphill arrivals. The Giau Pass (2.223 meters) will be the Cima Coppi del Giro. It will also pass from Switzerland, with the stop entirely on Swiss roads from Bellinzona to Carì. The arrival will be in Rome for the eighth time in history, after 3.459 km with 50,000 meters of altitude. Great space for the fraction in Bulgaria, representing which the Minister of Sport and Youth Policies, Ivan Peshev, and the Minister of Tourism, Miroslav Borshosh, as well as Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov.
“This event is a symbol of friendship between Bulgaria and Italy – said Zhelyazkov – It is an unmissable opportunity for our country to show its history, its traditions and its value. We will offer everything necessary for the departure of this edition.” Great space also at the Giro Women route, which will begin on 31 May from Cesenatico, immediately after the end of the male one, to end on 7 June in Saluzzo, after 1.153.7 km and 12.500 meters of altitude difference. There are two arrivals on the way up: the fourth stage Belluno-Nevegal (cronoscalata) and the eighth Rivoli-Sestriere that, in addition to the final rise, will see the athletes climb for the first time in the history of the race the Colle delle Finestre, Cima Alfonsina Strada of this edition. “I have always considered it a national heritage – said on the margin of the event the Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi -. It renews a tradition full of popular feeling and promotion of the territory. Today it is very important to celebrate the present and future of a race that opens to international countries, last year Albania and this year Bulgaria. It allows us to stop collaboration with other countries well beyond the sport dimension.”.
A video message by Antonio Tajani was also shown in the room. “The departure of the Giro d’Italia in Bulgaria takes pictures of the extraordinary value of sport – its words – the engine of dialogue and collaboration in a Region, Central Europe and the Balkans, the absolute priority of the Government”. In the opening, a proper tribute to Nicola Pietrangeli, who died at the age of 92, who saw the entire hall devote an applause to one of the legends of Italian tennis. Di Pietrangeli also spoke the President of the Council, Luciano Buonfiglio, during the presentation. “I had the pleasure of meeting him closely – his memory –. I had lunch sometimes with him, and there was to treasure all his word, wisdom and at the same time in irony, to remain humble and at the same time ambitious. He lived to be an example for others.”.
– photo mec/Italpress –
(ITALPRESS).
