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2026-05-08T11:46:11.853Z
The riders roll through rapeseed fields
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-08T11:45:24.980Z
Look at the crowds!
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-08T11:44:49.413Z
Our photographers have already captured some great shots.
A general view of the peloton prior to the 109th Giro start in Nessebar, Bulgaria (Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-08T11:41:03.425Z
This stage is a lot like Milan-San Remo. There is a slow build-up but then we are expecting a crescendo finish.
2026-05-08T11:36:36.979Z
125km to go
2026-05-08T11:33:36.592Z
We can see some beautiful flamingoes feeding in the Black Sea. However Manuele Tarozzi (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber) and Diego Pablo Sevilla (Polti VisitMalta) push on, trying to extend their gap over 2:00.
2026-05-08T11:28:42.402Z
The stage profile shows the ride isa not totally flat but the road to Burgas just rolls softly as its follows the coastline.
2026-05-08T11:27:43.287Z
130km to go
2026-05-08T11:21:00.969Z
Riders from Soudal, Uno-X and Unibet are on the front but doing ‘soft’ turns to keep the pace steady.
2026-05-08T11:17:56.732Z
As the riders roll past huge rapeseed fields, the sprinters’ team are playing bluff with each other and nobody is keen to lead the chase.
2026-05-08T11:17:00.380Z
The peloton and the sprinters are keen to save energy early in the stage to be as fresh for the fast final hour and the sprint to the line.
2026-05-08T11:13:54.580Z
Egan Bernal of Netcompany Ineos is at his team car, perhaps with a mechanical problem.
2026-05-08T11:12:57.302Z
The peloton has let the attackers go clear. The gap is up to 1:30.
2026-05-08T11:05:53.574Z
145km to go
2026-05-08T11:05:08.265Z
Race director Stefano Allocchio blows his whistle and waves his flag from the race car.
2026-05-08T11:04:08.889Z
🏳️ THE 2026 #GIRODITALIA IS UNDERWAY!!! pic.twitter.com/t25wOUq2twMay 8, 2026
2026-05-08T11:02:50.483Z
The Unibet riders seem ready to dive into any early attacks.
2026-05-08T11:02:11.307Z
We can see Lidl-Trek leader Derek Gee-West up front near the race director’s car.
2026-05-08T11:01:31.673Z
1km until the stage starts!
2026-05-08T11:00:49.796Z
The local Bulgarian crowds are out along the roadsides. That’s great to see.
2026-05-08T10:55:35.924Z
The riders can enjoy a 4.7km neutralised ride out of the seafront of Nessebar. Then the flag will drop and we are expecting attacks.
2026-05-08T10:54:40.233Z
There are four jersey competitions and lots of other special classifications and prizes. We have all the details.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-08T10:52:24.428Z
Race favourite Jonas Vingegaard was one of the last to sign on.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-08T10:50:37.208Z
Here we go! The riders are about to roll out!
2026-05-08T10:47:46.271Z
The riders are happy to finally race after four days in Bulgaria but there is tension in the air due to the expected sprint finish.
Team Giro d’Italia 💓 pic.twitter.com/mZ4GnC4Ki0May 8, 2026
2026-05-08T10:39:47.678Z
The start of stage 1 in Nessebar is on the edge of the Black Sea. The sun is out!
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-08T10:36:36.003Z
Bulgaria is turning pink! The #Giroditalia starts here, and the riders will race along the roads of a land rich in history and beauty. Cycling brings people together and is spreading around the world thanks to its ambassadors on two wheels, who bring excitement wherever they… pic.twitter.com/sbYxxtkblKMay 8, 2026
2026-05-08T10:34:52.682Z
The Giro d’Italia social media team are the best in the business. It’s great to be back at the Giro.
🏆 We’re so unbelievably back #GirodItalia pic.twitter.com/qyzCSfFDaWMay 8, 2026
2026-05-08T10:32:41.195Z
Half of the teams have signed on so far, with EF Education showing off their new green swap-out kit.
(Image credit: Assos/EF Education-EasyPost)
2026-05-08T10:28:32.638Z
Simon Yates snatched overall victory on the final mountain stage in 2025. He made a surprise decision to retire during the winter but his twin brother Adam is leading the UAE team this year and could win in Rome.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-08T10:24:19.542Z
Cyclingnews will have full live coverage of every stage of the Giro. The race is also broadcast and streamed around the globe.
How to watch Giro d’Italia 2026 – Free live streams, TV channels, Schedule
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-08T10:17:33.464Z
At the start in Nessebar, the first teams are starting to sign-on. The sun is out and the weather is dry with expected temperatures of 18-20C.
2026-05-08T10:14:43.518Z
This is our detailed stage 1 preview, with information on today’s stage.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-05-08T10:11:29.630Z
The Giro d’Italia starts outside of Italy for the 16th time and a second consecutive year, with Bulgaria hosting a three-stage Grande Partenza on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
(Image credit: RCS Sport/Giro d’Italia)
2026-05-08T10:03:48.470Z
We’ve published previews, interviews, analysis and special features on the 2026 Giro in recent week and James Moultrie and Alasdair Fotheringham are on the ground in Bulgaria to speak to riders and teams and bring you all the best reporting on the 2026 Giro d’Italia.
2026-05-08T09:57:16.347Z
The Giro d’Italia and the Grand Tour season begins with the Grande Partenza in Bulgaria.
Stage 1 is along the Black Sea coast, from Nessebar, a Unesco World Heritage Site and ends further south in Burgas after 147km of flat and likely fast racing.
The tension is high as a high-speed sprint finish seems assured with the stage winner also awarded the first race leader’s Maglia Rosa.
2026-05-08T09:54:55.261Z
Buongiorno and welcome to the Cyclingnews full live coverage of stage 1 of the 2026 Giro d’Italia.