Debutant Guillermo Silva wins Stage 2 of the 2026 Giro d’Italia in Bulgaria

A photo finish after the final sprint at the end of the second stage of the “Giro d'Italia” brought victory to Uruguayan Guillermo Thomas Silva. Florian Stork (Germany) finished second, while Italian Giulio Ciccone took third place.

The winner completed the 221-kilometer route from Burgas to the old capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo, in 5 hours, 39 minutes, and 25 seconds. This is the second-longest stage in the 109th edition of the Giro d’Italia, which started with 183 cyclists.

• Giro d'Italia participants pass through the Balkan Mountains

The stage was significantly tougher than the first one due to its hilly terrain and rainy conditions. As sports analysts had predicted, the finish in Veliko Tarnovo delivered surprises in the standings.

“This is a huge victory for my country, for my team, and for all of South America”, the happy winner told the media immediately after the final sprint that secured his victory.

“This is my first time competing in the Giro d’Italia, and winning the second stage is something special”, Guillermo Silva said after the race.

The residents of Veliko Tarnovo awaited the competitors with great excitement and sporting enthusiasm. Children from Bulgaria’s old capital took part in the warm-up ride through the streets of Veliko Tarnovo ahead of the Giro d’Italia, the city’s Tourist Information Center reported.

On the third day of the race in Bulgaria, the competitors will have to cover 175 km. Their route will begin in Plovdiv — the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe — and finish in Sofia.

Millions of television viewers around the world will once again enjoy stunning aerial views of Bulgaria’s landscapes. Along the route to the Bulgarian capital, the cyclists will pass through the majestic Rila region and the Borovets ski resort, adding a difficult mountain section before the final stretch. After the descent toward the capital city, another battle among the sprinters is expected, with the possibility for late attacks.

A number of events in Sofia are accompanying the Giro d’Italia. The color pink is everywhere in Sofia — it is the symbol of the Giro d’Italia and is associated with spring and cycling.

Read also:

• French rider Paul Magnier wins first stage of Giro d’Italia in Bulgaria
• Bulgarians in the history of the Giro d’Italia
• Bulgaria's Burgas officially launches Giro d’Italia 2026
• Giro d’Italia kicks off with official ceremony at the Bulgarian Black Sea coast

Edited by Elena Karkalanova

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov