Article by Andrei Crăiţoiu – Published Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 3:13 p.m. / Updated Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 3:21 p.m.
Between September 9-13, a new edition of the Romanian Cycling Tour will take place. For the first time in the history of the competition, the Tour starts this year from the Republic of Moldova. In total, nine host cities and a route of 800 kilometers. The trophy of this year's edition is a tribute to Constantin Brâncusi
More than 200 people participated today in the event announcing this edition of the Tour of Romania. We are talking about the most prestigious cycling competition in the country and one of the most important in Southeast Europe.
The 58th edition of the Little Loop will debut on September 9 and marks an absolute first: for the first time since the competition was founded in 1934, the official start of the race will take place outside the borders of Romania, in Chisinau.
“It's a historic moment!” said Cătălin Sprînceana, president of the Romanian Cycling Federation.
“For the first time in history when the Tour of Romania starts from the territory of another state and when the route reaches Bessarabia. The departure takes place from the Arc de Triomphe in Chisinau and will end at the Arc de Triomphe in Bucharest”Sprînceana also said.
The program and route for the Tour of Romania 2026
The program and route for the Tour of Romania 2026
The Tour of Romania is the most important road cycling race in the country, with 57 editions held so far. Over time, 71,633.3 km were covered in 504 stages and 17 prologues, where 4012 athletes started.
This year we are talking about a surprising route “the diversity and charm of the regions traversed, from cities with a strong cultural heritage to representative natural landscapes”as announced by the organizers of the Tour.
Picturesque image from last year's Tour of Romania
From the start in Chisinau, the caravan reaches the region of Moldova, passing through areas with spectacular landscapes and cities with a distinct identity, and the final takes place in Bucharest, bringing the competition to an emblematic urban setting.
- September 8 » Presentation of the Teams – Chisinau
- September 9 » Stage 1 – Chisinau – Ungheni
- September 10 » Stage 2 – Iasi – Piatra Neamt
- September 11 » Stage 3 – Piatra Neamt – Balvanyos Baths
- September 12 » Stage 4 – Brașov – Ploiesti
- September 13 » Stage 5 – Circuit Bucharest
Therefore, the start of the first stage will be given on September 9, on a route carried out entirely on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, arriving at Ungheni. This stage marks a double first in the history of the competition: both the start from another country and a stage organized entirely outside of Romania.
The Tour of Romania will start from Chisinau, and this honors us. In addition to promoting a healthy lifestyle, sport brings us closer, reminds us of the values we share and helps build a relationship based on respect and trust
Dan Perciun, Minister of Education from the Republic of Moldova
Eight special jerseys in the Tour of Romania
- Yellow jersey – The best cyclist in the competition
- The white jersey – The best cyclist under 23 years of age
- Red jersey – Best Sprinter
- Green T-Shirt – Best Climber
- The blue shirt – The best Romanian roadster
- Gray T-shirt – The best in the team standings
- White T-Shirt with Red Polka Dots – Winner in the points standings
- Orange jersey – Stage winner
Image from the launch of this edition of the Tour of Romania
Brâncuși, source of inspiration
In the year of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Constantin Brâncuși, the Tour of Romania pays tribute to the great Romanian artist by creating a dedicated trophy, inspired by his works.
The trophy will be made by the sculptor Liviu Brezeanu, a local artist from Dâmbovița, specialized in woodworking, and will be handed to the winner of the Tour of Romania in the final stage in Bucharest.
“The Tour of Romania takes an important step towards a new level of organization and notoriety, and this year's edition represents a sporting bridge between Romania and the Republic of Moldova, an opportunity to promote the beauties and values of the two countries, but also to encourage cycling among the widest possible audience,” said Cătălin Sprînceană, president of the Romanian Cycling Federation.
Competitions dedicated to the little ones
And this year the Tour of Romania will include events dedicated to children, aimed at supporting the training of new generations of cyclists.
They will take place in Iasi, Piatra Neamț, Ploiești and Bucharest. At the same time, competitions for amateurs will be organized in Ploiești and Bucharest, encouraging the practice of cycling and the adoption of an active lifestyle.
According to the organizers, the number of participants in these related races increases from year to year, in 2025 almost 3000 participants will be registered, most of them from the capital.
