Tour of Bulgaria
Encyclopedia
The Tour of Bulgaria is an annual international professional bicycle race
held in Bulgaria
. First staged in 21 August 1924, the race is older than Vuelta a España
. It is part of UCI Europe Tour and is category 2.2. The race race covers about 1,500 kilometres and lasts two weeks. As of 2010, 60 races are held.
The Tour of Bulgaria usually contains between 10 and 14 race stages with approximately length of 1500 km. The longest length of the race was in 1949 - 1905 km. The course changes every year, but the race has always started in Sofia
.
In the race, cyclists from over 40 countries have been competing. During the Cold War
, the Tour of Bulgaria is one of the most prestigious cycling races in Europe, drawing skilled cyclists from the countries, traditionally strong in cycling, as Italy, France and Netherlands. Although after the changes in 1989 the race lost some of the prestige for the cyclists in the strong cycling countries, nowadays it becomes more and more attractive for them. For example, in 2010 Francisco Mancebo
who finished second in the 2004 Vuelta a España
and fourth in the 2005 Tour de France
, competed in it but only succeeded to finish third after the Bulgarian Krasimir Vasilev and Ricardo Mestre.
Bicycle racing
Bicycle racing is a competition sport in which various types of bicycles are used. There are several categories of bicycle racing including road bicycle racing, cyclo-cross, mountain bike racing, track cycling, BMX, bike trials, and cycle speedway. Bicycle racing is recognised as an Olympic sport...
held in Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
. First staged in 21 August 1924, the race is older than Vuelta a España
Vuelta a España
The Vuelta a España is a three-week road bicycle racing stage race that is one of the three "Grand Tours" of Europe and part of the UCI World Ranking calendar. The race lasts three weeks and attracts cyclists from around the world. The race is broken into day-long segments, called stages...
. It is part of UCI Europe Tour and is category 2.2. The race race covers about 1,500 kilometres and lasts two weeks. As of 2010, 60 races are held.
The Tour of Bulgaria usually contains between 10 and 14 race stages with approximately length of 1500 km. The longest length of the race was in 1949 - 1905 km. The course changes every year, but the race has always started in Sofia
Sofia
Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.Prehistoric settlements were excavated...
.
In the race, cyclists from over 40 countries have been competing. During the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
, the Tour of Bulgaria is one of the most prestigious cycling races in Europe, drawing skilled cyclists from the countries, traditionally strong in cycling, as Italy, France and Netherlands. Although after the changes in 1989 the race lost some of the prestige for the cyclists in the strong cycling countries, nowadays it becomes more and more attractive for them. For example, in 2010 Francisco Mancebo
Francisco Mancebo
Francisco Mancebo Pérez is a Spanish pro cyclist. He initially rode for team Illes Balears, but moved to AG2R Prévoyance in 2006....
who finished second in the 2004 Vuelta a España
2004 Vuelta a España
The 59th Vuelta a España , a long-distance bicycle stage race and one of the 3 grand tours, was held from September 4 to September 26, 2004...
and fourth in the 2005 Tour de France
2005 Tour de France
The 2005 Tour de France was the 92nd Tour de France, taking place from July 2 to July 24, 2005. It comprised 21 stages over 3592.5 km, the winner's average speed was 41.654 km/h. The first stages were held in the département of the Vendée, for the third time in 12 years. The 2005 Tour was...
, competed in it but only succeeded to finish third after the Bulgarian Krasimir Vasilev and Ricardo Mestre.