Gazzetta dello Sport: Giro d’Italia leaves Bulgaria after strong public turnout

Bulgaria impressed Giro d’Italia organisers and participants with strong public interest in cycling and large crowds along the route of the race’s first three stages, which this year started from Bulgaria for the first time.

“Ciao, Bulgaria. Giro d’Italia will remember your hospitality, your cities with ancient roots and ambitious spirit, your green landscapes and the strong public presence along the route,” journalist Pier Bergonzi wrote in Gazzetta dello Sport in a commentary on the Bulgarian stages of this year’s race.

He added that the opening stages would also be remembered for the performances of sprint rider Paul Magnier and young Uruguayan rider Guillermo Thomas Silva, who wore the race leader’s pink jersey throughout the three stages in Bulgaria.

“The third stage, from Plovdiv to Sofia, confirmed Bulgarians’ interest in cycling and drew large crowds, with around 250,000 people attending in the capital yesterday,” Bergonzi wrote.

Editor: Miglena Ivanova

Edited and posted in English by E. Radkova