Belgrade’s Knez Mihailova street was this evening the venue for the opening of the 46^th Tour of Serbia 2006 International Bicycle Race. After the Serbian national anthem was sounded, the race was opened by the Chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and of the race’s Honorary Governing Board, Predrag Markovic.

Addressing the cyclists, guests, and members of the public present, Mr Markovic said that the National Assembly was this year again making its contribution to the race, adding that it was his hope that the contestants would ‘draw the map of Serbia with both wheels on the ground’, and breathe life into the event’s motto for this year – Tourism and cycling together, Europe in Serbia.

A total of 20 national teams, numbering over 120 cyclists, are taking part in this year’s Tour of Serbia; the 1020 kilometre-long course will take six days to complete, from 12 to 18 June 2006, when the cyclists will ride into Topola – where the victor for this year will be proclaimed.