Bicycle Race through Serbia | Tourist Calendar of Serbia

Bicycle Race through Serbia is an international sports-tourism event that aims to promote cycling and showcase the natural and cultural landmarks of Serbia.

It has been held every summer for over eight decades and in recent years, it has also passed through neighboring countries including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.

The first bicycle race took place back in 1939, conceived by journalist Aleksandar Bugarski. The race started at Hotel Moskva in Belgrade, covering a distance of approximately 1000 kilometers divided into six stages. It was patronized by King Peter II Karađorđević, who awarded a golden trophy to the winner, August Prosenik, then a representative of Yugoslavia. The winner completed the distance in 34 hours, 24 minutes, and 22 seconds.

From the very beginning, the race was envisioned as a sports competition that would also promote destinations throughout Serbia, many of which were still undiscovered at the time. In fact, in the early years, many of the routes were still unpaved, and only a few hundred people observed the entire event along the way.

The race was held the following year as well, but then came a multi-year hiatus due to the outbreak of World War II and subsequent country reconstruction. The bicycle competition was reintroduced in 1963, and since then, the tradition has been upheld without interruption, even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Over the years, the race has varied in terms of length, number of stages, and route. It has passed through 60 cities in Serbia and neighboring countries to date. The cycling caravan moves through urban settlements but also traverses mountainous areas, gorges, and valleys. The longest route was in 2014, covering a distance of 1300 kilometers divided into six stages, while the shortest route during the pandemic in 2020 involved only 450 kilometers over three stages.

On the 80th anniversary of this event, the race expanded into neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2019, the race started for the first time outside of Serbia, from East Sarajevo, and the cycling caravan passed through Jahorina and Zlatibor, reaching Mionica, and then proceeding through Belgrade to Požarevac, where the finish line was located. Participants were introduced to some of Serbia's most significant tourist attractions during the race, including the archaeological site of Viminacium, Ljubičevske konjičke igre, and more.

The most successful participant in the history of the Bicycle Race through Serbia is former Serbian national representative and legend of Serbian cycling, Miloš Rnjaković, who won four times - in 1985, 1990, 1991, and 1996.

Despite its originally local character, in recent years, the race has increasingly attracted foreign competitors and prominent international teams, with many of them reaching the winner's podium. The quality of the competition has been improving over time, and it is expected that the most popular bicycle race in Serbia will be classified as a first-category event in world cycling in the future.

The 62nd edition of the Bicycle Race through Serbia, which will take place from September 13th to 16th this year, will include more details about participation and this year's route, which can be found on the website of the organizer - the Bicycle Association of Serbia - and through the media.