On Saturday, February 1, 2025, a meeting of Herzegovinian cycling clubs was held at the Visitor Center Buna, bringing together representatives from clubs across the region. For the second consecutive year, cycling clubs in Herzegovina have gathered to align their plans and activities aimed at developing the region as a sports and tourism destination. These meetings represent a crucial step in strengthening cooperation, connecting clubs, and creating a unified body that works together to develop cycling and promote Herzegovina as an attractive tourist destination.
The attending club representatives emphasized the importance of such initiatives, which foster unity, teamwork, and strategic planning for the long-term development of the region’s sports and tourism potential. In this spirit, concrete steps were agreed upon for upcoming projects that will further enhance cycling infrastructure, sports promotion, cultural heritage, and sustainable tourism.
The President of the HerzegovinaBike Association, Toni Zorić, welcomed all attendees and thanked them for their participation, reflecting on an exceptionally successful past year during which Herzegovinian clubs collectively organized numerous cycling events. A special welcome was extended to the new club from Gacko (BK Gacko), which has joined the cycling community.
Aligning the Calendar and Planning New Projects
One of the key topics of the meeting was the coordination of the calendar for 2025 recreational cycling and racing events. To avoid event overlaps and ensure the highest possible participation, the following schedule adjustments were made:
- Ćiro Cycling Tour Zavala – Trebinje moved to March 23, 2025
- Ćiro Cycling Tour Mostar – Čapljina scheduled for April 6, 2025
- Grude Cycling Tour rescheduled from May 25 to May 11, 2025
- VI. Čapljina Cycling Tour added to the calendar for April 13, 2025
- II. Tomislavgrad Cycling Tour set for September 21, 2025
Connecting Sports and Tourism Through Cycling
During this agenda item, the organization of the cycling event “Stazom stećaka”was presented as part of the Blidinje Gastro-Fest. The co-organizing clubs (BK Široki, BK Posušje, BK Ljubuški, and BK Grude) supported this initiative, aiming to promote cultural heritage, highlight the historical significance of stećak tombstones, and strengthen the connection between municipalities through sports and tourism. The cycling route will pass through four municipalities in West Herzegovina County, visiting stećak sites and concluding in Blidinje Nature Park. In the coming weeks, meetings will be held with the municipalities and cities involved in this event, as well as with the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports of West Herzegovina County to further implement the project.
2025 Cycling Season – Promotion Through Media and Institutions
The meeting also introduced an initiative for organizing a panel workshop to present the 2025 cycling season to the media, sponsors, and public institutions. This event will enhance the visibility of cycling activities and attract new partners and support for the development of cycling in the region. The panel discussion is scheduled for March 14, 2025,with Mirko Luburić, Toni Zorić, Igor Bašić, and Željko Kolobarić assigned to its organization.
Bosnia and Herzegovina as Host of the Balkan Cycling Championship
One of the most significant topics discussed was the potential organization of the Balkan Road Cycling Championship in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The attendees agreed that this event would play a major role in promoting the country as a sports and tourism destination. Toni Zorić, President of the HerzegovinaBike Association, emphasized that cycling attracts participants from 15 countries, helping promote Bosnia and Herzegovina internationally. The clubs expressed full support for this initiative, with the goal of hosting the championship in 2026 year, involving all relevant institutions and partners.
Winter Cycling League – Year-Round Activity
A new addition to the cycling calendar is the Herzegovina Recreational Winter League, which will take place during the colder months. This initiative aims to keep cyclists active throughout the winter, providing regular races and recreational rides. The league will feature both road and MTB events, further strengthening the cycling scene and encouraging participation among younger generations.
Conclusion – The Power of Unity and Future Steps
The meeting once again demonstrated that the collective efforts and coordination of clubs can bring significant progress in developing cycling and promoting Herzegovina as a sports and tourism destination. Cycling is not just recreation and competition—it is a powerful tool for connecting the region, promoting an active lifestyle, and attracting tourists through outdoor activities.
The clubs expressed a strong willingness to continue working together, and the adopted conclusions and initiatives set the foundation for an even more successful 2025 season. Herzegovina reaffirms itself as a region rich in cycling potential, where sports, nature, and culture form a perfect synergy.
At the end of the meeting, a ceremony was held to present certificates of appreciation to cycling clubs that contributed to or supported the organization of the Blidinje BIKE Festival in 2024. The certificates were presented by the President of the HerzegovinaBike Association, Toni Zorić.
