Albania, Bulgaria... Romania? Eastern European nation should make bid to host 2029 Giro d'Italia start

The Giro d'Italia has started in Albania in 2025 and this time around, the eastern European nation of Bulgaria has made a successful bid to host the Grande Partenza of the 'Corsa Rosa'. Its northern neighbour Romania may also be in the mix to do the same in the coming years, as confirmed by the president of the Romanian cycling federation.

“We are very interested in bringing the Giro d’Italia to Romania,” Cătălin Sprînceana said in an interview with ProSport. Unlike the Tour de France, the Giro has been giving more space for nations quite far from its territory to host the start of its editions, bringing novelty and international exposure to each edition, whilst receiving a financial boost from these decisions.

With the Giro beginning in Bulgaria and having this Sunday's stage finale in Sofia, not far away from the Romanian capital of Bucharest, there is an important window of time for close contacts. This would apply for the 2029 edition; with the northeastern city of Trieste likely to host the start in either 2027 or 2028.

“We are talking about three standard stages, because then there is a day of rest, during which the athletes are flown to Italy. That is what I will work for, to achieve this goal for Romania in 2029. I will channel my energy in this direction," Sprinceana detailed.

Albania and Bulgaria have made history with having a Grand Tour start in their country for the first time, as Hungary has done previously. Romania would enter the list. At a rapid pace, there is an expansion of the sport and its great events into countries where road cycling is not as frequently visited.

Bucharest, naturally, would be on the radar. “Of course, Bucharest has to be on the map if we bring the Giro d’Italia to Romania. I wouldn’t want it to be a promise, given the political crisis we’re going through.”