Marking 100 years since Albania’s first cycling race, the Albanian Cycling Federation held the 82nd National Cycling Tour with strong international presence. Fifteen teams and 96 riders raced over 760 kilometers in five stages across the country.

National team coach Medin Melhani, on “Good Morning Albania,” called the event key to promoting Albanian cities and growing the sport. “Teams from North Macedonia, Kosova, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Italy, and Serbia took part. The race had five stages in five days,” he said.

Melhani praised stage four as the most intense, calling it similar to a Giro d’Italia segment. “We won stage one, but the Dutch team’s strong seven-man squad shifted results in stage two. Despite having only five riders, we still finished second overall,” he said.

He stressed the event’s value for gaining points toward national and international qualifications. “The tour helps us stay visible and competitive on the world stage,” he said.

National team cyclist Olsian Velaj shared the same view. He aimed for the yellow jersey but focused on defending second place. “Stage two was the hardest. We fought to hold our position against strong rivals,” he said.

Velaj also celebrated his third straight win in the Elbasan–Vlora stage. “It took everything to win that one. It means a lot to me and the team,” he said.

/a.p./