The 81st edition of the Tour of Albania in Cycling started this Monday with the first stage. Cyclists from 15 different teams raced towards Korça in a distance of 161.6 km.

Serbian Dordje Duric is the winner of the first stage of the cycling circuit with 4 hours, 3 minutes and 15 seconds, leaving compatriot Marko Stankovic in second place and German Lenard SternsDorff in third place.

A race full of rivalry, where apparently it was the German who could grab the first place, but in the last 15 km the Serbian Duric managed to pass first, as he knew the terrain well as he had raced on these roads before.

“It was a difficult stage, the roads were difficult, there were many climbs, but I made it. It was difficult in the last moments because the power should be at its maximum, but I had the support of my group, so I won today as well”, said Dordje Duriç.

On the other hand, Stankovic, in second place after the race, announced that he did not have the support of other cyclists, and for this reason, it was impossible for him to cross the finish line first.

“After 30 km I tried to attack the first cyclist but I didn’t have many opportunities because he had the support of his group. On the last climb I was caught by the team behind and this made the fatigue great. The race was difficult but I must be honest that the Serbian cyclist deserved it today”, said Marko Stankovic.

Part of the cycling circle are the cyclists of the representative teams of Serbia, Greece, Austria, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Albania. The second stage of the cycling tour of Albania is Korçë – Elbasan, 120 km.