Seven cyclists competing in the 2026 edition of the Giro d’Italia were taken to the regional hospital in Veliko Tarnovo after a major crash during Stage 2 of the race near the village of Merdanya in Lyaskovets Municipality. The incident unfolded roughly 22 kilometers before the finish line as riders crossed Bulgaria from south to north.
The crash involved at least 13 competitors and disrupted one of the most demanding sections of the stage. Organizers and medical officials said wet roads, sudden elevation changes, and what appeared to be a brief loss of concentration likely contributed to the pile-up. Among the riders caught in the incident were Canadian cyclist Derek Gee, British rider Adam Yates, and Portuguese contender António Morgado, who had entered the race as one of the favorites.
One of the injured cyclists suffered a fractured pelvis and was transferred by ambulance to Pirogov University Hospital for Emergency Medicine in Sofia for specialized treatment. The remaining riders were examined at Stefan Cherkezov Hospital, where doctors reported mostly superficial injuries. Four cyclists were discharged after receiving treatment, while two others remained under medical observation as doctors assessed whether hospitalization would be necessary.
