In April 2026, the cycling map of the world will get a new, strong name. The Tour of Bosnia and Herzegovina will experience its first edition from Friday, April 17, when the caravan of professional teams will leave Sarajevo for the grand finale in Neum.
The day before, on Thursday, April 16, Sarajevo will host teams from all over the world who will make official registrations and participate in the presentation of the race in the premises of the Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina, followed by the official presentation of the race to dignitaries.
Huge international interest already in the first edition
Although it is a debut edition, the interest in performing at the Tour of Bosnia and Herzegovina exceeded all expectations. The organizers confirm that all starting places have been filled in accordance with UCI rules, while as many as 72 professional teams from all over the world have expressed their desire to come. Interest is not abating – applications and inquiries arrive daily. With the information about the exact number of participating countries, the organizers do not yet go public and say that this information will be officially announced at the official presentation of the race on Wednesday. January 21 2026, which will be held in the city of Mostar.
Race route altitude profile | Photo: Press
What has been confirmed is that there will be teams from all five continents at the start, and in earlier media appearances it was mentioned
is the participation of more than 35 countries of the world.
Route overview: 390 kilometers, 4,400 meters of ascent
In its first edition, Tour of Bosnia and Herzegovina consists of three stageswith a total length of 390 kilometers and a height difference of 4,400 meters, which connect the interior of the country with its only outlet to the sea.
Etape Tour of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2026:
- 1st stage | Sarajevo – Mostar | 148 km | 1,370 m ascent
- 2nd stage | Mostar – Ljubuški | 122 km | 1,406 m ascent
- 3rd stage | Ljubuški – Neum | 118 km | 1,676 m ascent
Stage 1 | Sarajevo – Mostar
148 km | Fast and attractive stage
The first stage already has a reputation as one of the potentially fastest stages in major international tour races. The start in Sarajevo leads the peloton along the highway section all the way to Bradina, followed by a fast and dynamic ride through Konjic, where there will be a passing sprint finish and the awarding of the blue shirt to the fastest driver.
It will be located in Jablanica mountain goal (KOM), which brings points for the red shirt of the best climber, before entering one of the most visually impressive sections of the race – the canyon of the Neretva River. The organizers estimate that the average speed of the stage could exceed 48 km/h, which ranks this stage among the fastest in professional cycling.
The final stage is driven through Mostar, with five-kilometer final laps, and the winner of the stage and the first holder of the Tour’s yellow shirt will be announced in the very center of the city. The television broadcast will be additionally enriched by helicopter footage of the natural beauty of Herzegovina, with a special emphasis on the Neretva valley.
Stage 2 | Mostar – Ljubuški
122 km | Dynamic Herzegovinian stage
The second stage takes cyclists from Mostar along the M17 main road towards Egretsthen further towards Ljubuška and Grudabefore returning to Ljubuški, where the goal of the stage is. The attractive tourist destination Peć Mlini will host the mountain finish (KOM), while Grude will host the sprint finish for the blue shirt. Upon arrival in Ljubuški, the peloton will drive the city circuit, and the finish line in front of the municipality building will decide the winner of the second stage and the new (or confirmed) holder of the Tour’s yellow shirt.
Stage 3 | Ljubuški – Neum
18 km | From UNESCO heritage to the Adriatic Sea
The final stage brings a combination of culture, history and spectacular landscapes. The start in Ljubuški takes the cyclists through local destinations and UNESCO sites of stećak, after which the race rejoins the highway. A special visual moment of the stage will be the shots of the Kravice waterfall from the air, as well as the passage of the peloton over the imposing Herzegovina Viaduct over the Neretva River. It will be in Stolac
find a passing sprint finish, while the ascent near the UNESCO site of Boljuni will decide the winner of the mountain finish and the holder of the red shirt.
Tour of BiH race route | Photo: Press
The grand finale will take place in Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s only outlet to the Adriatic Sea. The overall winner of the Tour of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be announced there and the yellow shirt will be awarded. It is interesting that many teams have already expressed their desire to stay in Neum for 2-3 days for rest and training before the resumption of the competitive season.
A new race, a big ambition
Already in its first edition, the Tour of Bosnia and Herzegovina shows its ambition to become a recognizable international sports and tourism event, combining top cycling, natural beauty and the country’s rich cultural heritage. From Olympic Sarajevo to Adriatic Neum, this race offers a route that promises spectacle – both on and off the road.
(www.jabuka.tv | Photo: Illustration / Pexels)
