Romania weighs bid for 2029 Giro d'Italia start despite political crisis

The start of the Giro d’Italia in neighbouring Bulgaria has inspired the Romanian cycling federation to signal its interest in hosting the Grande Partenza in 2029.

The three stages in Bulgaria mark the Giro’s third eastern European start in five years after setting out from Hungary in 2022 and from Albanian in 2025. 

Speaking to ProSport.ro, cycling federation Cătălin Sprînceană floated the prospect of a Romanian start in three years’ time.

“We are very interested in bringing the Giro d’Italia to Romania,” Sprînceană said. “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.” 

The Bulgarian Grande Partenza was designed to highlight the country’s resorts on the Black Sea Coast in particular, as well as the historical cities of Veliko Tarnovo and Plovdiv. Sprînceană did not offer details on where a Romanian start would venture, though he confirmed that the capital Bucharest would feature. 

“Of course, Bucharest has to be on the map if we bring the Giro d’Italia to Romania,” said Sprînceană, though he acknowledged that immediate progress on any bid would be complicated by the recent collapse of the country’s pro-European government less than a year into its term. “I wouldn’t want it to be a promise, given the political crisis we’re going through.”

It remains to be seen, however, just how much support Sprînceană’s idea will garner from Romania’s government in the current political climate. The centre-right prime minister Ilie Bolojan lost a confidence vote last week in protest at public spending cuts, and president Nicusor Dan must now hold consultations with party leaders to create a new coalition government.

Once a novelty and reserved for occasions such as the 1996 Athens Grande Partenza to mark the centenary of the Olympic Games, foreign starts have become increasingly common in the Giro of the 21st century as RCS Sport looks to maximise its revenue.

Bulgaria is believed to have paid over €12 million to host the first three stages of the Giro, following the Netherlands (2010 and 2016), Denmark (2012), Ireland (2014), Israel (2018), Hungary (2022) and Albania (2025).

The 2027 Giro is expected to start in Italy, with Il Messaggero Veneto reporting that Trieste is the frontrunner to host the Grande Partenza.