ROME:

Bulgaria will host the first three stages of next year's Giro d'Italia, which will once again crown its champion in Rome, organisers RCS announced on Monday.

It will be the 16th time that the Giro, which will run from May 9-31, starts in a foreign country and the second time in a row after Albania hosted the opening three stages of this year's Giro, which was won by Britain's Simon Yates.

"There are still some decisions to be made behind the scenes with the team on whether I'll be here or not, but I would love to defend (the title)," Yates told reporters.

"I would love to be here, but it's not really my decision."

Since 2010, seven starts have taken place abroad, including in Jerusalem in 2018.

The peloton will begin the 2026 edition of the three-week grand tour by riding along

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