Record holder of five titles from Bulgaria's national cycling tour, Ivelio Gabrovski, was present at the unveiling of the "Cycling in Sofia" photo exhibition, marking Bulgaria's hosting of three stages of the Giro d'Italia. Gabrovski expressed optimism about the possibility of having a Bulgarian cyclist participate in the prestigious cycling race in the future, provided the right environment is established for young cyclists to develop.
"I am delighted that this is happening in Bulgaria after so many years. Reflecting on my time as a competitor, the event reminds me of our national tour because it is the fourth consecutive tour held globally. I connect Bulgaria to Italy and hope this major sporting event will revive cycling, unite people in our community, and take cycling on a new path with great horizons," Gabrovski commented on the upcoming start of the Giro d'Italia 2026 in Bulgaria.
"I think the route is well chosen. The Black Sea region must have a stage, and I am only sorry that it does not go through Shipka. But I believe the route is perfect. These are three stages, and we cannot ask for more. The route is optimally designed and selected. I have no favorites, but perhaps there will be a winner who does not enter the calculations of experts. These are professional competitors, this is their job and way of life. They come here to show their best. It is a matter of a lot of money and the commitment is very serious," he added.
When asked about Bulgaria's connection to the Giro d'Italia and the possibility of having a Bulgarian participant in the prestigious race, Gabrovski responded: "There have been Bulgarians in the Giro d'Italia before. Nikolai Mikhaylov participated years ago, as did Daniel Petrov in the Giro d'España. It is entirely possible to have a Bulgarian, it just requires working with young cyclists coming up. I believe there is potential in them and that a suitable environment can be found for them to develop."
