The city of Zvornik has officially been announced as the host for the start of the third stage of the 18th edition of the international cycling race from Belgrade to Banja Luka.
The spectacle in the city on the Drina, which will also serve as the intermediate goal of the stage, is scheduled for April 19th and begins precisely at noon. The third stage is 167 kilometers long and ends in Vlasenica.
Cyclists will start in Zvornik, where they will ride three laps and head towards Papraća and Šekovići on their way to Vlasenica, then return to Zvornik, from where they will go again via Papraća and Šekovići, towards Vlasenica, where the final goal of this challenging stage is located.
“I believe the citizens of Zvornik will be pleased that our city has become even more involved in this story. It’s important for us also because of the cooperation, namely the connection with Serbia. We are ready to host the entire caravan and make everyone in Zvornik feel comfortable,” said Bojan Ivanović, the Mayor of Zvornik.
Race director Vladimir Kuvalja noted that this year, too, the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, firmly supported the race.
“We are honored that President Dodik is with us again this year as the race celebrates its adulthood. Other institutions of Republika Srpska are also with us. The people of Zvornik will enjoy the skills of 175 cyclists from all continents. Zvornik, thank you for hosting us; it will be a pleasure to socialize on April 19th,” Kuvalja emphasized.
Goran Guska, the race’s executive director, highlighted the race’s safety aspect.
“The police forces of Republika Srpska and Serbia, with whom we have excellent cooperation, greatly help us along the entire route of the race and primarily in securing the cyclists themselves. I would like to thank them once again for that,” Guska emphasized.
The head of the Cycling Federation of Srpska, Tihomir Kuvalja, has the fondest memories of the city on the Drina.
“About 50 years ago, I celebrated a victory here at a cycling race, and I hope that this year’s edition, like then, will proceed in the best order. I am glad that Zvornik is with us,” Kuvalja senior underscored.
Source: RTRS
