Tour of Romania 2026 starts in Chisinau for first time; opening stage takes place entirely in Moldova

The 2026 Tour of Romania starts in Chisinau for the first time, with the opening stage taking place entirely on the territory of Moldova. The race covers approximately 170 kilometers and starts in the center of the Moldovan capital, passing through the districts of Ialoveni, Hancesti, Calarasi and Ungheni. After the Chisinau–Ungheni stage, the cycling caravan will cross into Romania.

A total of 23 teams from 16 countries lined up at the start of the competition, bringing together 130 professional cyclists. Six national teams are among them, including the ones of Italy, Poland and Moldova.

Culture Minister Dan Suruceanu emphasized that the stage of Moldova represented more than just a sporting competition, also providing an opportunity to promote the country’s natural and cultural heritage.

“It is an opportunity to show our guests our nature, traditions and the hospitality of our people. We want to present Moldova through what it has that is most authentic. This autumn, the ties between Moldova and Romania are being marked by more wonderful events. These projects have already become a tradition, and we hope the cycling tour will join this list. Through culture, education, language and now through sport, we are bringing our people increasingly closer together,” said Culture Minister Dan Suruceanu.





Moldova’s participation in this edition of the Tour of Romania is also seen as an opportunity to promote the country through sport and strengthen ties between the two states.

“It is an extraordinary thing: adrenaline, spectacle, performance and joy. It is an event that we have been building for more than seven years together with the Romanian Cycling Federation and that we have tried to help grow, so that it reaches all of Romanian society. This tour is a wonderful opportunity to unite two sister countries,” said Tiberiu Danetiu, co-organizing partner of the Tour of Romania.

State Secretary at Education and Research Ministry (MEC) Sergiu Gurin referred to the role of sport in strengthening relations between Moldova and Romania.

“The Tour of Romania is a diplomatic instrument that works very well. If we refer to the concept of unification, it is also achieved through such sporting and cultural actions. This is not our first experience organizing competitions between Romania and Moldova. We intend and wish to continue this positive dynamic in all fields, not only in sport, but also in education and, of course, culture. Such projects bring us closer and create increasingly stronger ties between the people on both banks of the Prut,” Sergiu Gurin said.





Constantin Bogdan Matei, President of Romania’s National Sports Agency, described the event as an important one for both countries and highlighted the role of sport in promoting shared values.

“This is a historic moment for the two countries. Today is an important moment for Romania and Moldova, because together we are managing to create a major event. Sport is an instrument for peace. I strongly believe in the values of sport, as well as  in the power of people involved in sport to contribute to peace. Today, we have the opportunity to present our two beautiful homes to the world: Romania and Moldova. How? By cycling. Today, we are cycling through our two homes to show the world that peace, prosperity and beauty begin here, in Moldova, and end at home, in Romania, in Bucharest,” Constantin Bogdan Matei said.





After the inaugural Chisinau–Ungheni stage, the Tour of Romania will continue in Romania. The second stage will follow the Iasi–Piatra Neamt route and cover approximately 160 kilometers. It will be followed by the Piatra Neamt–Balvanyos stage, covering around 200 kilometers, and then the Brasov–Ploiesti stage, over a distance of approximately 160 kilometers. The competition will conclude in Bucharest with a 100-kilometer circuit.

The competition, organized by the Romanian Cycling Federation, in partnership with Auchan Romania and the National Sports Agency, takes place on September 9-13 and comprises five stages covering approximately 840 kilometers.