As it happened: A late crash sparks chaos but Soudal takes the win and the first maglia rosa on stage 1 at the Giro d'Italia
The Giro Grande Partenza kicks-off with a 147km sprint stage to the Black Sea coast city of Burgas
Buongiorno and welcome to the Cyclingnews full live coverage of stage 1 of the 2026 Giro d'Italia.
The Giro d'Italia and the Grand Tour season begins with the Grande Partenza in Bulgaria.
The riders will race three stages in Bulgaria and then transfer to Italy on Monday.
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.
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.
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.
This is our full race preview, with links to all our special pre-race content, full stage details and maps.
This is our detailed stage 1 preview, with information on today's stage.
2026 Giro d'Italia stage 1 - Which sprinter is most likely to take the first maglia rosa?
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.
Cyclingnews will have full live coverage of every stage of the Giro. The race is also broadcast and streamed around the globe.
Check out our special 'How to watch' guide to understand where you can see the race and how a VPN can help if you are away from home.
How to watch Giro d'Italia 2026 – Free live streams, TV channels, Schedule
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.
Alasdair Fotheringham spoke to Yates for this special interview, with Adam revealing his brother has given him some tips.
Half of the teams have signed on so far, with EF Education showing off their new green swap-out kit.
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
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
The start of stage 1 in Nessebar is on the edge of the Black Sea. The sun is out!
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
Here we go! The riders are about to roll out!
Race favourite Jonas Vingegaard was one of the last to sign on.
There are four jersey competitions and lots of other special classifications and prizes. We have all the details.
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.
The local Bulgarian crowds are out along the roadsides. That's great to see.
1km until the stage starts!
We can see Lidl-Trek leader Derek Gee-West up front near the race director's car.
The Unibet riders seem ready to dive into any early attacks.
🏳️ THE 2026 #GIRODITALIA IS UNDERWAY!!! pic.twitter.com/t25wOUq2twMay 8, 2026
Race director Stefano Allocchio blows his whistle and waves his flag from the race car.
The 2026 Giro is underway!
The peloton has let the attackers go clear. The gap is up to 1:30.
The attackers are Manuele Tarozzi (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber) and Diego Pablo Sevilla (Polti VisitMalta).
Egan Bernal of Netcompany Ineos is at his team car, perhaps with a mechanical problem.
Tim Rex of Visma also need help from his mechanic.
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.
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.
Riders from Soudal, Uno-X and Unibet are on the front but doing 'soft' turns to keep the pace steady.
Manuele Tarozzi (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber) and Diego Pablo Sevilla (Polti VisitMalta) have extended their lead to 2:20.
130km to go
Movistar are tucked behind the sprint domestiques at the front of the peloton, with other riders happy to roll along in their slipstream.
The stage profile shows the ride isa not totally flat but the road to Burgas just rolls softly as its follows the coastline.
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.
125km to go
There is a slight cross wind, blowing from the riders' left side as they ride south. They seek protection on the wheel but it is not strong enough to spark echelons.
This stage is a lot like Milan-San Remo. There is a slow build-up but then we are expecting a crescendo finish.
The fight for position in the final hour or so will be tense and high-speed.
Our photographers have already captured some great shots.
Look at the crowds!
The riders roll through rapeseed fields
It's interesting to see that the Netcompany Ineos riders are wearing black shorts with their new green-grey jerseys.
As the riders move away from the coast and pass through Burgas for the first time, they get to see the finish area.
Manuele Tarozzi (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber) and Diego Pablo Sevilla (Polti VisitMalta) lead by 1:45.
The riders are racing in the opposite direction to when they sprint to the line.
100km to go
After a steady 47km of racing, the riders are back on main roads and heading south towards Sozopol to take on two laps of a 22.1km circuit.
The long loop features the category 4 Cape Agalina to award the first mountains jersey, with the intermediate sprint in Sozopol after 90km and the first passage of Cape Agalina.
The Red Bull KM sprint comes after 114.7, just 32km from the finish, so it will be interesting to see if any GC riders or sprinters fight for the six, four and two bonus seconds.
The riders roll through a feed zone but James Shaw of EF fails to catch a bidon three times.
Meanwhile, on a quiet section, multiple riders stop for a natural break.
This was James Shaw's fumble.
Triple bottle miss! 😬James Shaw misses three bottles in quick succession on the opening stage of the Giro d’Italia! pic.twitter.com/5Groz5FkqCMay 8, 2026
There are some clouds gathering on the open plains south of Burgas. There is a slight chance of rain later in the day.
90km to go
The peloton has reduced the gap to the break to 1:25. This is a waiting game, with the attackers perhaps playing mind gams with the peloton by slowing to force them to ease off the chase, before accelerating again at the right moment.
The racing is steady but the current speed is 44.2 Km/h.
Three riders are leading the peloton in pursuit of the attackers. They are: Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier (Lidl-Trek), Hartthijs de Vries (Unibet Rose Rockets) and Ayco Bastiaens (Soudal Quick-Step).
80km to go
As expected, the peloton has eased a little the gap is back up to 1:50. This is a cat and mouse game.
Manuele Tarozzi (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber) and Diego Pablo Sevilla (Polti VisitMalta) are the mouse and the peloton is the cat.
It's great to see so many people out along the roadside. This is what bike racing and especially Grand Tours are all about.
Who wants to work or stay at home when the Giro is about go by?
Who can beat Jonathan Milan? Dani Ostanek analysed the sprinters of the Giro d'Italia for Cyclingnews.
The riders are about to start the two circuits south of Burgas. Each loop of 22.1km features the category 4 Cape Agalina to award the first mountains jersey.
75km to go
Manuele Tarozzi (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber) and Diego Pablo Sevilla (Polti VisitMalta) push on but their lead is down to 1:00.
The profile of stage 1 of the 2026 Giro
In a later feed zone, James Shaw gets his feed by taking a musette. No dropped bidons this time.
Jonas Vingegaard rode stage 1 of the Giro d'Italia with a finger nail painted red, as part of a charity awareness campaign.
It is a campaign run by Børns Vilkår ('Children's Welfare'), a Danish charity working against child abuse.
Danish celebrities and other supporters have painted one nail red as "a small act that marks something far too big" as part of the Stop vold!' (Stop violence) campaign.
Click below to read our full story on Vingegaard's nice act of support.
Why does Jonas Vingegaard have one painted nail at the Giro d'Italia?
This Visma video explain the red finger nail gesture.
The riders are on the coast and there is a breeze. It has lined out the peloton along the edge of the Black Sea beach.
Will Manuele Tarozzi (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber) and Diego Pablo Sevilla (Polti VisitMalta) sprint for the KOM points and the first mountains jersey?
Diego Pablo Sevilla (Polti VisitMalta) was first to summit, winning the intense sprint to the line.
He will be hoping to secure the KOM azzurra jersey.
Next up is the intermediate sprint.
This time Manuele Tarozzi (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber) takes it without a sprint.
The peloton surges to sprint for third place but the gap is still at 2:00.
Indeed, Lidl-Trek lead out Jonathan Milan. He takes the points, ahead of Kaden Groves, to take some points for the cyclamen- jersey.
Milasn scored 5 points and perhaps opened up his sprint legs a little.
Jonas Vingegaard (Visma) and Felix Gall (Decathlon) are part of several riders who return to the peloton after a natural break.
The pace is steady and still relaxed in the peloton.
It's time for the short, Cat 4 Cape Agalina climb after passing the beach.
Manuele Tarozzi (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber) and Diego Pablo Sevilla (Polti VisitMalta) fight for the KOM once again.
But Sevilla is strong and fast and wins it. The maglia azzurra is his.
The peloton has eased, allow the duo to extend the gap over 2:00. We're expecting an increase in pacer very soon.
35km to go
It's time for the Red Bull KM sprint. There are 6-4-2 time bonuses on offer, so the peloton will also sprint.
This is our Red Bull KM explainer.
Red Bull Kilometre sprints and stage finishes offer precious time bonuses during 2026 Giro d'Italia
Attack! Two Lotto riders go clear.
Manuele Tarozzi (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber) beats Diego Pablo Sevilla (Polti VisitMalta) to win the Red Bull sprint.
The race is on for the third place time bonus.
UAE sprint too, to stop any GC rivals taking the time bonus. Interesting....
António Morgado did the sprint for UAE.
The riders had to avoid a dog in the road.
25km to go
We're getting closer to the sprint finish but the chase is still riding steady for now.
However riders sre starting to gather in team formation. Position is vital from now to the finish.
22km to go
The peloton catch Manuele Tarozzi (Bardiani CSF 7 Saber) and Diego Pablo Sevilla (Polti VisitMalta) and so ti is gruppo compatto.
We don't want to spook anyone but there hasn't been any crashes so far in the Giro. Let's keep it that way.
The television helicopter goes in search of the sprint teams and spots Jonathan Milan with his Lidl teammates.
They are the team to beat today and will probably try to lead out the sprint.
Watch out for number 131: Paul Magnier of Soudal.
In contrast, Jonas Vingegaard and his Visma teammates are at the back of the peloton. They are trying to play it safe instead of fighting for position.
Kaden Groves has three Alpecin teammates with him. He wears race number 1 this year.
Soudal have massed on their left of the road. Decathlon and Picnic are on the right, Astana and UAE down the middle.
The last real right turn comes with 3.5km to go.
The right side of the road seems to be the fastest train for now.
It's shoulder to shoulder between rivals lead out riders.
Uno-X lead into the corner.
Positioning is vital and up front is the place to be.
It's chaos!
Soudal take control but is too early?
Crash!!!
Only eight rider stay clear!
sprint!
Magnier wins it!
What a chaotic sprint!
A crash with 600 metres to go split the peloton and only a handful of riders avoid it and fought out the sprint.
Milan was there but caught behind and couldn't move up. Andresen lead it out but Magnier came up and beat him to the line.
Riders caught in the crash roll in. They will not lose time today.
Sad to see that Dylan Groenewegen was involved in the crash. Kaden Groves too.
The crash seemed to be caused by a high-speed touch of wheels behind the leading riders.
Groves crosses the line but has lots of road rash.
Ethon Vernon (NSN) was third in the sprint.
Tobias Lund Andresen was in the sprint. He just avoided the crash and sprinted to second place.
It is Magnier's first Grand Tour win and so his first maglia rosa. He won and wore pink at the Under 23 Giro two years ago but this is a whole different level.
This is photo that Magnier may put on his wall.
This is what it means.
Matteo Moschietti of Pinarello also crashed in the sprint.
Look how Magnier and Soudal celebrate.
Soudal are rightly celebrating. They have suffered a disappointing start to the 2026 season but have hit the jackpot at the Giro.
Magnier took the maglia rosa and lead the GC by 4 seconds.
Stage 2 to Veliko Tarnovo also suits him and so he could stay in pink for a few days.
Magnier faces a marathon in the podium. He also pulls on the cyclamen points jersey and the best young rider white jersey.
Watch the final kilometre and see what happened in the crash in this video.
🔻An action-packed final kilometer: chaos, drama and an incredibly tight sprint finish!🔻Ultimi 1000 m da brividi tra imprevisti e uno sprint tiratissimo!⏪ The @continentaltire Ultimo Kilometro#GirodItalia pic.twitter.com/3Q9pZx0cEEMay 8, 2026
Magnier beams a huge smile after pulling on the magia rosa.
It was a tough day for Kaden Groves.
Not the way we wanted to start our @giroditalia 🫠After a first medical check, @kaden_groves , the biggest victim of the crash in the finale seems okay.It is what it is… 20 more stages to go.📸 Mr. Pinko#AlpecinPremierTech pic.twitter.com/TCkXQrpqhQMay 8, 2026
There were mixed emotions at the finish due to the crash.
"It's a big emotion. I'm so proud of my team and my performance," Magnier said.
"I was already happy to start the Giro d'Italia with a nice shape and a special jersey from Castelli. Now I can change it with the Maglia Rosa.
"It was very hectic in the finale because it was an easy day before the sprint so everyone was really fresh. We tried to be in a good position before the narrow road where the crash happened. Jasper Stuyven did an amazing job and I could finish it off, it's amazing.
"It was my first time being able to sprint against these big sprinters like Jonathan Milan. I already had some nice memories with the Maglia Rosa at the Giro NextGen, now I can have more. I will enjoy to wear this one!"
Erlend Blikra (Uno-X Mobility) lost some skin and his jersey.
To read our full stage report, click below.
Giro d'Italia: Paul Magnier speeds to victory as massive crash blocks peloton in stage 1 sprint
Keep checking our home page and the live updates for further news and interviews from Alasdair Fotheringham James Moultrie who are in Bulgaria for Cyclingnews.
We'll also have information on who is leading the different classification and an up to date preview of Saturday's stage 2.
For now we'll raise a glass for Paul Magnier's win and his first maglia rosa. Chapeau!
Cyclingnews will have full live coverage of stage 2 of the Giro d'Itralia on Saturday.
