The prestigious international cycling event, City Mountainbike Eliminator Series, has officially commenced in Vrdnik, Serbia. The event is part of the UCI calendar and features the Cross-Country Eliminator (XCE) discipline, one of the most dynamic and attractive in mountain biking.

The organizers of this event, which is sponsored by the Regional Government, include the Serbian Cycling Federation, the Cycling Federation of Vojvodina, and the Municipality of Irig.

In a statement from the Regional Government, it is emphasized that the competition represents a significant milestone for Serbian cycling, as it is the first time Serbia has hosted such a prestigious international event.

A total of 70 competitors from 14 countries are participating in the main race. The series includes five races across Europe and is part of the European UCI Cup in the eliminator discipline.

The event was ceremonially opened by Aranka Binder, Deputy Secretary of the Regional Secretary for Sports and Youth, and Tihomir Stojaković, Mayor of Irig.

Binder stated, "It is a great honor for us to be able to host such an important international competition on the slopes of Fruška Gora. This race is crucial for world rankings, and I believe that the town of Irig, Vrdnik, and Fruška Gora will meet the expectations of the competitors and become a long-term fixture on the sports and tourism map of Europe in this sport."

Races in this series are held in city centers and tourist destinations across Europe, Asia, and Africa, attracting top professional athletes, including current and former world and European champions.

In addition to the main elite race, the program also includes short XCC races, as well as local and children's races, making this event in Vrdnik a full-day sporting spectacle for both professionals and the general public.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)