site.btaOver 500 Children Join "Kinder Giro d’Sofia" Cycling Race in Sofia

Over 500 children took part in the Kinder Giro d’Sofia cycling race on Saturday. The event, held around the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, took place just one day before professional riders from the Giro d’Italia pass through the Bulgarian capital.

The cycling celebration, initiated by Sofia – European Capital of Sport Foundation and the Doltcini Pro Team, featured competitions in four age groups, contests, entertainment games, and prize raffles.

The large number of participants required the addition of an extra age group and the organization of several qualification heats before the final races. The cyclists competed on a fully secured 300-metre course adapted to their age, completing between one and four laps depending on their category. Due to high demand, organizers increased the registration limit, yet the number of participants still exceeded expectations, with far more than 500 children and teenagers taking part.

As in elite cycling competitions, each participant received a start pack with a race number and a commemorative diploma. The races were conducted under strict regulations, with a professional lead cyclist, multiple safety officials and race commissaries ensuring fairness on the course. Winners were awarded the yellow jersey, along with the traditional, in this case children’s, celebratory champagne on the podium.

Prize-winners received medals and various material awards, while organizers provided free ice cream for all participants. Alongside the races, the children also took part in fun cycling games and quizzes with prizes.

Winners of Kinder Giro d’Sofia:

Children 5–6 years: Viktor Vanev, Adrian Demengiev, Boris Berov

Children 7–8 years: Boyan Yaovliev, Lili Peshterska, Dimitar Slavov

Children 9–10 years: Yoan Dikanarov, Konstantin Dimitrov, Darina Atanasova

Children 11–12 years: Alexandar Manev, Boris Peshterski, Georgi Lazarov, Daniel Todorov

Saturday's most challenging Bulgarian stage of the Giro d’Italia took riders on a 221-kilometer route across the Balkan Mountains from the coastal city of Burgas to the northern town of Veliko Tarnovo - Bulgaria's medieval capital. The stage featured three categorized climbs - Byala, Vratnik and Lyaskovets Monastery. The stage started in Burgas just before noon and finished in Veliko Tarnovo after 5 pm.