Stage one of the 2026 Giro d'Italia takes the riders 147km from Nessebar to Burgas along Bulgaria's black sea coast in a mostly flat route, which means the sprinters are in line for the first Maglia rosa of the race. This start in Bulgaria will be the first time ever that a world tour-level race has been held there, despite the Tour of Bulgaria being the third-oldest national stage race in the world, with only the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia being older. This is the route for stage 1, and it is almost certain to be a sprint finish, but the battle for the break will be very tough as the 2 categorised climbs mean the first Maglia Azzurra will also be awarded. The first bonus seconds of the race will also be given out at the Red Bull KM. These will almost certainly be taken in the breakaway, but if a break never forms or is caught by this point, the first drama of the Giro will happen there as GC riders may contend for an early advantage. The finale of stage 1 isnt ve...
