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.

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.

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Edited by Elena Karkalanova

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov