From April 17 to 19, Bosnia and Herzegovina will host the first cycling race under the auspices of the International Cycling Organization (UCI). 175 cyclists from 38 countries will compete, including the most successful Bosnian cyclist Vedad Karić (38).
The multiple national champion and member of the cycling club “Rotacija-SPIN” from Zenica, on Friday, April 17, with the rest of the cycling caravan, will start from Sarajevo, from where the first stage of the Tour will be driven to Mostar. On Saturday, the second stage begins in Mostar, which goes via Capljina to Ljubuški, while the final stage, from Ljubuški to Neum, is planned for Sunday, April 19.
Karić, a member of the BiH Armed Forces, is very excited about the home race.
– I have been cycling for 23 years. I passed all categories, drove races outside BiH, from the European Championship, through the World Marathon, European and Mediterranean Games. But a race that goes through our country, and at the same time is internationally recognized, will be something special – said Karić in an interview with Fena.
He emphasized that he hopes that the public will come out on the route in large numbers, cheer him and his colleagues from the BiH national team, and that this is why the Tour of BiH will be a great experience, both for more experienced and younger cyclists. What makes him particularly proud, but also optimistic for the future, is the effort invested in the organization of the race.
– How much work has been done on the organization of the Tour of BiH, I can already announce that it will be a much higher quality race than others in the region, with the fact that it is still above the others in Croatia. But if this team continues to work like this year, we will very likely surpass the capacities of the organization of the race through Croatia. I think ours will be of better quality than the races in Albania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, both in terms of organization and the quality of competitors – he emphasized.
He is especially looking forward to the prominent landscape character of the race, and he added that it was he who proposed the stage from Sarajevo to Mostar to the race director Toni Zorić. He pointed out that the Neretva canyon is a very attractive sight for tourists and therefore one of the great advantages of the race, which could generally encourage greater interest in cycling in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Another detail, related to the configuration of the route, makes him optimistic about it.
– Due to the fact that it is a fairly flat first stage, I doubt that the finish line will be reached in groups, and that is what is important for the spectators. To see the mass of cyclists and their impressive logistics. And each team also has two or three branded supporting vehicles, it really looks nice. That e.g. I can’t show the mountain stages, because the cyclists are scattered – said Karić.
As far as the context of the results is concerned, Karić, who spent part of his preparations at the end of March in the vicinity of Mostar, is not burdened, so first of all he emphasizes the good form of his colleagues from the national team. He emphasized the strong support of the Cycling Association in the preparations, but also the unpredictability of such races.
– Everything depends on numerous details on ‘D-day’. The question is whether we will ‘have legs’, whether things will work out for us in the race itself, and a lot depends on factors that we cannot influence – said Karić.
Vedad emphasized that every national team performance is something big for him, so he will do his best at the Tour of BiH, while he wishes for a scenario that would put at least one of our national team members in the foreground.
– It would be ideal, although it will depend on the tactics of the selectors, for one of our cyclists to be on the run and thus be seen. After all, TV transmission will also be provided. With the fact that much stronger teams than other regional races at our level participate. It is really about very good drivers and clubs and it will be difficult to make a significant result. But we will not surrender – he underlined.
Finally, Karić said that he hopes that cycling in BiH will use the Tour of BiH to first of all make a breakthrough in a country where two or three sports dominate the media. – The fact that the Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina lent a helping hand to the organization of the race speaks volumes. I think that it will be a window to the world, that the race will bring us a lot of media support. I am convinced that the Tour of BiH will be a great success, both for recreational and professional cycling in BiH.
(Vijesti.ba)
