site.btaSports Minister Kicks off First Stage of 71st Tour of Bulgaria

Sports Minister Georgi Glouchkov kicked off the first stage of the 71st cycling Tour of Bulgaria in Sofia on Sunday. A total of 22 teams, four Bulgarian and eighteen foreign, started the race.

The race marks one hundred years since it was first held in 1924, making the Tour of Bulgaria the fourth oldest in Europe.

"During all this time the race has left lasting traces in the history of this sport and has great importance for the popularization of cycling in our country. That is why I congratulate the organizers of the race in the face of the Bulgarian Cycling Federation for their efforts in its realization. I would also like to thank the sponsors, who stood behind this wonderful sporting event. I wish a successful start and a worthy performance to all competitors", said Glouchkov. 

The first stage (from Sofia to Troyan) is 161.5 km long. The second stage will cover 108.3 kilometres from Troyan to Kazanlak, passing through the Shipka Pass. In the third stage there will be 180 flat kilometres from Kazanlak to Burgas, and the fourth stage will be the longest - 207.2 kilometres from Primorsko to Sliven. The final stage of the Tour of Bulgaria will be a 123-kilometre stage from Sliven to Gabrovo, with the route of the whole race expected to give a significant advantage to the best climbers.