Paul Magnier completed a remarkable campaign at the Giro d’Italia 2026, winning the third and final stage on Bulgarian soil after crossing the finish line in central Sofia ahead of his rivals. The French rider, who had already taken victory in the opening stage in Burgas, once again proved strongest in the decisive sprint, finishing first near the historic building of the National Assembly. Italy’s Jonathan Milan finished second, while Dutch cyclist Dylan Groenewegen took third place.
The stage from Plovdiv to Sofia covered 175 kilometers and ended with a dramatic acceleration near Eagles’ Bridge, where Magnier launched the move that secured his second stage win in just three days. He completed the route in 4 hours, 9 minutes and 42 seconds.
After the finish, the Frenchman admitted even he had not expected such a start to the race. “It’s incredible to win two stages in the first three days. I didn’t expect it. I worked hard for this, but the victories are very sweet. The Bulgarian roads gave me wings and I hope to continue in the same way,” Magnier said.
The final stage in Sofia turned into a massive celebration of cycling. One of the capital’s busiest boulevards was closed to traffic and transformed into a public sports zone hours before the professional riders arrived. According to Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev, more than 25,000 cyclists joined the “Sofia Rides Giro” event and rode the closing section of the route before the race finale. The municipality described it as the largest cycling event ever organized in Sofia.
“Today is an incredible, exceptional day,” Terziev said, thanking everyone involved in bringing the Giro d’Italia to Bulgaria. He described the event as a huge opportunity not only for Sofia but for the entire country, arguing that the international television coverage would have a lasting effect on tourism and Bulgaria’s image abroad. “Many of those who watched the competition and saw how beautiful our country is will choose to visit us,” the mayor added.
The atmosphere surrounding the race also generated strong reactions online, with many public figures describing the Giro as one of the biggest international showcases Bulgaria has received in years. Singer Ruth Koleva wrote on social media that the event allowed hundreds of millions of viewers to see Sofia as “a vibrant, interesting European city with people, energy and ambition,” rather than through outdated stereotypes. She added that the race gave Bulgarians an opportunity to present the country as a destination for tourism, culture, sports and urban life.
Sports Minister Encho Keryazov also praised the organization of the event, calling the Giro both a logistical challenge and a major opportunity for Bulgaria. Speaking near the finish area at National Assembly Square, he said Bulgarian cities had managed to present themselves positively before a global audience. “Sport is a social phenomenon and investment in it should become a national strategy and policy,” Keryazov said, adding that events of this scale inspire young people to become involved in sports.
According to Mayor Terziev, more than 200,000 spectators attended the Sofia finale. He said the organizers themselves had described the Bulgarian stages as among the strongest editions of the Giro ever hosted outside Italy. The mayor also expressed hope that the race would accelerate plans to improve Sofia’s cycling infrastructure and encourage broader public interest in cycling.
“We can be very proud. This is the result of the hundreds of thousands of people across Bulgaria who came out and showed their support, because a country is its people. We showed not only our history and nature, but also the Bulgarian spirit,” Terziev said.