Hungarian Marko Toth (Team United Shipping) is the winner of the first stage of the historic inaugural cycling race “Tour of BiH”, which started this morning at 10.30 am in Sarajevo, and whose first stage ended just before 2 pm in Mostar.
On the 137.8 km long stage, which he covered at an average speed of 50.9 km/h, Toth celebrated in front of Belgian Inion Sander (Madar Procycling Team) and Polish Piotr Maslak (Voster ATS Team).
In this way, the Hungarian secured the white shirt, which is awarded to the best young cyclist, the blue shirt, which is awarded to the cyclist with the most points, and the yellow shirt, which goes to the leader in the overall standings.
After the first stage, only the red shirt for the best cyclist on the mountain section, which was won by Vas Barnabas (Team United Shipping), escaped him.
– Very intense, very fast stage, the whole time the wind was blowing at our backs. The team did a great job, I think we took almost all the shirts, it was perfect – said Toth after the victory.
Commenting on the route that passed through the Neretva canyon, he said that it was beautiful, although the cyclists did not have much time to look around, and added that the road was very good, without too many potholes.
Tour of BiH director Toni Zorić was also satisfied with the first stage.
– There were falls, the rain saw us off, but in the end the sun greeted us in Mostar. The organization went along, the first day was a test for us, because it was the most challenging stage. The descent down Bradina was particularly challenging – said Zorić.
The awarding of T-shirts and trophies was attended by the Mayor of Mostar, Mario Kordić, the Prime Minister of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, Marija Buhač, the Minister of Trade, Tourism and Environmental Protection, Emil Balavac, and the Minister of Internal Affairs, HNK, Mario Marić.
On Saturday, the second stage of the race will take place from Mostar to Ljubuški, in which 170 cyclists from 38 countries will participate.
The final section, from Ljubuški to Neum, is run on Sunday.
(Vijesti.ba/Fena)
