On 30.06.2021 the 68th International Cycling Tour of Bulgaria (ICTB) was launched with a prologue in Sofia.

The race has returned at an accelerated pace in the international cycling calendar, with general sponsor of this year’s edition being DZI - the company with the longest history and experience on the Bulgarian insurance market.

 „I am happy that DZI is once again part of the most important sporting challenge in cycling. Our joint efforts in that direction prove successful and this year the results are a fact - more contestants, a longer and more difficult route. It is an honour for us to cooperate with the Bulgarian Cycling Federation and today we jointly announce the launching of the 68th International Cycling Tour of Bulgaria. I wish health and good luck to all contestants and let the best one win“, said Kosta Cholakov, MB Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Officer of DZI.

Among the official guests, who greeted the contestants were Andrey Kuzmanov - Minister of Youth and Sports, Miroslav Borshosh - Deputy Mayor of Sofia Municipality for culture, education and sports domain, Belcho Goranov – Secretary General of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee.

The first yellow jersey holder for Y2021 is Marceli Bogusławski.

He was the fastest in the individual chrono start around the Aleksandar Nevski Cathedral in Sofia with length of about 1 km, as he finished for a 1:08 minute. Second, 2 seconds behind, was Michel Aschenbrenner (Germany), while third, 3 seconds behind finished Niels Vandeputte (Belgium). The best performer among Bulgarian contestants was Martin Papanov from Nessebar Cycling Club, who ranked ninth, 4 seconds behind the leader.

Bogusławski is going to wear the yellow jersey as a leader in the contest also at the official start on the National Assembly Square in Sofia city at 12.15 PM, when the pack of 145 cyclists will depart for the first stage - from the capital city to Plovdiv town - with length of 178 km.