The Giro d’Italia’s Uruguayan history-maker: Who is Thomas Silva?

Cor Vos

As XDS-Astana launched a ripping lead-out at the conclusion to stage two of the 2026 Giro d’Italia in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria, few were able to immediately recognise the figure who celebrated crossing the line in first place, with both hands clasped over his helmet in disbelief.

Thomas Silva’s rise to the maglia rosa has been rapid and record breaking. Just the day before his victory, Silva had become the first Uruguayan just to race the Giro d’Italia in its 109 editions. He is the South American nation’s first Grand Tour stage winner and first Grand Tour overall classification leader. For two glorious days he wore the pink jersey of race leader before conceding it Tuesday on stage 4.

Giro d’Italia: Thomas Silva makes history for Uruguay on stage 2 after crash-imposed neutralisationAnother mass crash punctuated the second day of racing in Bulgaria, with Adam Yates and UAE Team Emirates-XRG worst affected – as Guillermo Silva took over the pink jersey.Escape CollectiveKit Nicholson

Silva has made history for a nation with little success at the very top levels of professional cycling. He was greeted after the finish by the cheers of his father and brother, who are following the Giro in support.

“This is something fantastic, and right now I’m overwhelmed with emotions, it’s hard to describe. My family is here with me these days, travelling along with the race, and it means so much to have them nearby and supporting me on a day like this,” Silva said on the team’s website. “Today the whole team was outstanding, so this success belongs to all of XDS-Astana Team. I honestly have no words — yes, I really wanted to fight for a stage win, but now I’m also wearing the pink jersey, and that’s completely unexpected. There’s not much more I can say right now, the emotions are overwhelming.”

Disbelief for Silva in Veliko Tarnovo

From Maldonado to the maglia rosa

A talent for cycling goes back generations on the maternal side of Silva’s family. Silva’s grandfather, Carlos Coussan, was a nationally recognised cyclist, as were his great-uncles, Niver and Leonel Coussan. Carlos also managed a local cycling club and the family puts their name to a bike shop in Maldonado, where Silva was born and raised.

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