site.btaState Archives Chief Expert Koleva: Razgrad Cyclists Leave Their Mark on Early Tours of Bulgaria

Razgrad cyclists left a strong mark on the first Tours of Bulgaria, Chief Expert Dr Darina Koleva of State Archives – Razgrad said on Thursday. The archive keeps photographs and documents linked to their participation in the sporting events.

Koleva said the Razgrad Cycling Society, founded in 1903, quickly ranked among the best in the country with its model discipline and strong riders. More than a century ago, Bulgarian athletes faced new challenges with the First Tour of Bulgaria, whose participants included cyclists from Razgrad. The start was given on August 21, 1924, when 21 competitors from nine cycling societies set off from National Assembly Square in Sofia at 12:45 p.m. The first stage followed the Sofia to Vratsa route over 121 km. Bulgarian Cyclist newspaper followed all ten stages and the interim rankings, and kept readers informed about the race.

“The Tour lasted until September 7, 1924, with 13 competitors reaching the finish. The winners were Georgi Abadzhiev from Razgrad on a Goricke bicycle and Kosta Dyulgerov from Ruse on an Alcyon bicycle. They covered the 1,833 km distance in 85 hrs 46 mins 3.1 secs at an average speed of 21.4 km/h. The youngest participant was 19-year-old Iliya Kubadanov from Razgrad, who finished sixth and also competed on a Goricke bicycle,” Koleva said.

Koleva added that years later, in June 1965, a special issue of the Ludogorie Cyclist information bulletin was published, dedicated to the First Tour. It included memoirs by Abadzhiev, Kubadanov and other cyclists. In them, Abadzhiev wrote that he had loved the bicycle since childhood. “I can hardly recall a happier moment in my life than when I got my first bicycle,” Abadzhiev said. Archive documents show that he trained hard and achieved a series of successes. In 1922, he became national union endurance champion, while he described his participation in the 1924 Paris Olympic Games as the peak of his career.

Koleva said an interesting fact from regional history was that the trial cycling races, on the velodrome and road, for the Paris Olympics were held in Razgrad from May 9 to 12, 1924. More than 1,000 cyclists from across the country took part, competing for places among the ten best riders. Abadzhiev was selected in the road race category and included in the Olympic team. A total of seven cyclists represented Bulgaria, marking the country’s debut in the sport. “Georgi Abadzhiev did not win a prize at the 1924 Paris Olympic Games. Still, the 32-year-old cyclist handled the difficult 188 km route and, based on published data, managed to finish 53rd,” Koleva said.

Koleva also said the Second Tour of Bulgaria began 91 years ago. After the impressive performance by Razgrad competitors in the first Tour, the city had high expectations for the new edition. On July 8, 1935, 63 riders again set off from National Assembly Square in Sofia, 49 Bulgarians, eight Romanians and six Yugoslavs. The Tour included 12 stages and lasted until July 21, covering a total distance of 1,860 km. The first stage was again Sofia to Vratsa. The Razgrad cyclists Stefan Gradinarov-Cholaka and Yordan Marinov took part in the race, as did Marin Nikolov, a cyclist from Varna who was born in the Razgrad village of Poroishte. Razgrad was part of the route of the Tour’s seventh stage, the Ruse to Razgrad to Varna section. Many residents welcomed the competitors in the city centre, with very strong interest and information about the race reaching the city by telephone from the nearby villages of Tsar Kaloyan and Borisovo, now Getsovo, Koleva said.

Koleva noted that this stage was especially important for Gradinarov-Cholaka, as he was aiming to be the first to enter his home city. He managed to lead the column, but fell after a collision with another competitor and lost valuable seconds. In the end, Georgi Velinov from Sofia was the first to arrive in Razgrad, followed by Nikolov. The competitors reached the city at 10:30 a.m. on July 15, 1935, where they were welcomed by district governor Racho Kirchev, garrison commander Colonel Stefanov, mayor Dragan Danailov and other officials. A beautiful arch decorated with flags and flowers had been prepared for the event. Velinov from Sofia won this half-stage of the Tour, with Nikolov from Varna in second place. The competitor born in Poroishte received a silver stopwatch from his fellow villagers. The winners were given awards, and the Razgrad cyclists also received prizes and cash sums. After a short stay, the column continued towards Shumen, sent off by a military band.

The major cycling race on Bulgaria’s roads ended on July 21, 1935. Twenty-six riders reached the final classification. Nikolov finished first overall in the Tour, covering 1,860 km in 77 hrs 19 mins 56 secs. Gradinarov-Cholaka finished sixth in 78 hrs 53 mins 45 secs, while Marinov was 12th in 82 hrs 9 mins 34 secs, Koleva said.

Koleva added that the official closing of the Tour took place on July 21, 1935, at Union Palace in Sofia, in the presence of the competitors, the mayor of Sofia, the physical education inspector at the Ministry of Public Education, representatives of sports organizations and many others. Union chairman General Dipchev thanked the participants and people from all parts of the country for their support. Speaking to journalists from Bulgarian Cyclist newspaper, the competitors shared the difficulties they faced on the route, including breakdowns and poor road conditions, but expressed satisfaction with the organization and the help provided. “My result could have been much better, but I had to be careful not to break the sealed bicycles on the poor roads, as we could not replace them. I punctured tyres three times, and before Dupnitsa my chain broke…,” Nikolov said. Razgrad cyclist Gradinarov-Cholaka said: “I feel very well! I am not overtired. I fell three times, once quite badly. I punctured tyres four times. I am pleased with the jury’s decision and with the medical assistance, which was quick and effective. I am delighted by the welcome and the attention from the whole population.” The Second Tour of Bulgaria went down in history, and the Razgrad cyclists once again put in a worthy performance, Koleva noted.

Koleva added that State Archives – Razgrad also keeps photographs from the 37th Tour of Bulgaria, when the city was a stage centre for the tenth time. On June 29 and 30, 1987, the cyclists passed through Razgrad, with the finish of the Troyan to Razgrad stage in front of Dimitar Blagoev Cinema, while the next day the column set off for Tolbukhin, now Dobrich.

Koleva said the successes of Razgrad cyclists were recognition of the city’s major contribution as one of the oldest cycling centres in Bulgaria.