How Stone Grip Was Used in a Key Urban Area During the Sofia Stage of the 2026 Giro d’Italia
The 2026 Giro d’Italia made history with its Grand Departure in Bulgaria, bringing one of the world’s most prestigious cycling events through some of the country’s most iconic cities.
After starting in Nessebar and continuing through Burgas and Veliko Tarnovo, the Giro reached the capital city of Sofia on May 10, 2026, marking the third stage of the Bulgarian opening leg.
As part of the preparations for the event, Stone Grip by SlipDoctors was used in a key urban area involved in the Sofia stage, with the goal of improving traction on wet surfaces and in rainy conditions while preserving the original appearance of the paving.
A Technical Challenge in a Historic Urban Setting
When it comes to international sporting events, surface safety becomes a critical consideration, especially in urban environments featuring historic paving, mineral-based surfaces, and monument-adjacent public areas exposed to weather and heavy use.
For the Sofia stage, the local team needed a solution that could:
✅ improve traction in wet conditions
✅ preserve the appearance of the surface
✅ avoid visible coatings or permanent surface films
✅ be applied efficiently across a large area
The challenge was even more complex given the architectural significance of the surrounding environment and the tight timeline ahead of the event.
Why Stone Grip Was Selected
For this project, the team selected Stone Grip, SlipDoctors’ invisible anti-slip treatment designed to improve traction on a wide range of mineral and hard surfaces, including ceramic, porcelain, concrete, and similar paving materials.
Unlike paints or surface coatings, Stone Grip does not create a visible film. Instead, it works microscopically to increase traction while maintaining the original look and finish of the surface.
This made it particularly suitable for an important urban setting where preserving the visual integrity of the paving was essential.
Before proceeding with the full-scale application, a preliminary on-site test in Bulgaria was carried out to confirm compatibility with the surface and validate the final result.
More Than 3,200 m² Treated in Central Sofia
The project involved approximately 3,200 m² (34,400 sq ft) of surface area, requiring a coordinated application strategy capable of delivering speed and consistency on a large scale.
The treated area formed part of a key urban location involved in the Sofia stage preparations, making reliability and consistency particularly important.
To optimize efficiency and uniform coverage, the treatment was applied using a professional vehicle-mounted spray bar system, an approach particularly effective for large urban surfaces.
Special attention was given to:
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even product distribution
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applying the correct amount of product to achieve optimal results
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maintaining precise spray application to avoid overspray onto surrounding surfaces
The images from the project show operations taking place directly on-site, including during wet and rainy weather conditions — a scenario where surface traction becomes even more important.
Supporting Surface Safety for an International Sporting Event
Being involved in a project connected to the 2026 Giro d’Italia in Sofia represented a unique technical and logistical challenge for our team.
From the initial testing phase in Bulgaria to coordinating a large-scale order within a very tight timeframe, this project demonstrated how important it is to identify practical and effective solutions for improving surface safety without compromising aesthetics.
A special thank you goes to the local team in Bulgaria for their trust and for the excellent work carried out on site.
Do You Have a Slippery Indoor or Outdoor Floor Surface?
Stone Grip is designed to improve traction in just minutes, significantly reducing the risk of slips and falls without altering the appearance of the floor.
Suitable for indoor and outdoor surfaces, Stone Grip can be used on:
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ceramic tile
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porcelain and porcelain tile
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terrazzo
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slate and travertine
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concrete
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mineral-based paving and similar hard surfaces
Ideal for floors, stairs, pedestrian areas, and surfaces exposed to rain or moisture, Stone Grip improves traction on both wet and dry surfaces without creating a visible coating.
Want to find out if Stone Grip is right for your surface? Contact our Team!
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