Giro d'Italia conquers the old capital
Veliko Tarnovo became the center of the cycling world, hosting the second Bulgarian stage of the prestigious Giro d'Italia. Mayor Daniel Panov personally presented the pink jersey to the stage winner, Uruguayan Guillermo Thomas da Silva, in front of thousands of enthusiastic fans.
"The atmosphere was incredible, the whole city was dressed in pink in honor of the race," shared eyewitnesses from the central streets.
Dramatic turn of events and mass crash
Despite the festive atmosphere, the race went through difficult moments. 22 kilometers before the finish, a mass crash occurred, affecting 13 cyclists, including favorites such as Adam Yates and Antonio Morgado. The causes of the incident include:
- Wet asphalt following weather conditions;
- Significant elevation changes on the route;
- A momentary lack of concentration in the peloton.
Festive program and future events
The city celebrated the event with a rich program: a parade by "Junior Band", folk dances, and an evening show by Torino and Pashata. Further excitement is ahead with the broadcast of the Plovdiv – Sofia stage and the race for the "Kereka 2026" Cup.