The Blidinje Bike Festival is a unique cycling experience that takes place over a weekend in July in the Blidinje Nature Park. In the year 2024, we will witness the 6th edition of this festival, and the organizers have elevated the event to new heights! Therefore, it’s not surprising that the interest in participation is the highest to date. 

In 2024, the Blidinje Bike Festival is included in the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) calendar and achieves the status of a UCI Class 1 event. Additionally, within the Blidinje Bike Festival in 2024, the Balkan Championship will be held, where athletes from 12 Balkan Federation countries will compete for the title of Balkan Champion.

Registration for the UCI C1 XCM Herzegovina race can be completed through the following link: GBT Timing Service

TEHNICAL GUIDE

UCI C1 XCM HERZEGOVINA

Nature park Blidinje; July 1-21. 2023.

1.  ORGANISATION

1.1. LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE (LOC)

      • Toni Zorić; Director of the event Blidinje BIKE Festival”;
        mob: +387 63 400 260;
        mail: toni@herzegovinabike.ba

      • Josip Barišić; Director of the race “XCM Herzegovina”;
        mob: +387 63 005 555;
        mail: yopajb@gmail.com

    Event website: www.bbf.ba

    1.2. CYCLING FEDERATION BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

        • Toni Zorić; President of Cycling Federation Bosnia and Herzegovina;
          mob: +387 63 400 260;
          mail: president@bisabih.ba

        • Amar Njemčević; Director of MTB Representation;
          mob: + 387 61 808 021;
          mail: office@bisabih.ba

        • Adnan Mekić; Selector of National Representation;
          mob: +387 61 137 581;
          mail: selektor@bisabih.ba

      Web: www.bisabih.ba

      1.3. COMPOSITION OF THE COMMISSAIRES PANEL

          • President of the Commissaires Panel: Marin Goleš

          • National  Commissaire:  Mirnas  Mujezinović

          • National Commissaire: Toni Zorić

          • Commissaire: Biljana Krtalić

          • Arrivals Judge: Ivan Širić

          • Moto Commissaire 1: Ivo Čerkez

          • Moto Commissaire 2: Josip Ramljak

          • Timing/Results: Grafo Balkan

          • Timing Announcers: Boris Čerkuč

        Web: www.uci.org

         

        2. GENERAL INFORMATION

        EVENT: UCI CLASS 1 XCM HERZEGOVINA

        ORGANIZER: Association HerzegovinaBike and Cycling Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

        LOCATION: Blidinje Nature Park, Herzegovina-Neretva County: Bosnia and Herzegovina

        DATE: July 19-21, 2024

        2.1. CONTACT

            • Josip Barišić; Director of the “UCI C1 XCM Herzegovina”
              mob: +387 63 005 555;
              mail: yopajb@gmail.com

          2.2. RECEPTION CENTER – RACE OFFICE

          Visitor Center of Blidinje Nature Park (open from Friday; July 19. 2024 at 12AM till 7PM and Saturday; July 20. 2024 from 10 till 7PM)
          Masna Luka, b.b, Rakitno 88245
          Phone: +387 63 428 308
          Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dp6Yx9Wx5uTgwPEx5

          Blidinje Ski Resort (open on the day of the race on Sunday; July 21. 2024 from 8AM to 10AM)
          Risovac b.b, Rakitno 88245 Phone: +387 39 718 514
          Location:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/DV9z4tdjSfBxM9Rp8

          2.3. TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION

          Travel and accommodation expenses to and from Blidinje Nature Park must be covered by the National Federations or event participants in case they come individually.

          Nearest airports are: Mostar International Airport (distance 90km); Sarajevo Airport (distance 110 km); Dubrovnik Airport (distance 210 km)

          All participants must hold a valid passport or identity card.

          2.4. VISAS

          Visa obligations must be respected.
          Each Federation is responsible for obtaining documents for their delegation appropriate entries.
          For all invitation letter requests please contact the Cycling federation Bosnia and Herzegovina: office@bisabih.ba

          All riders and team stuff must hold UCI license

          2.5. OFFICIAL ADDRESS OF THE COMPETITION VENUE

          Blidinje Nature Park; Masna Luka, b.b, Rakitno 88245 Bosnia and Herzegovina

          2.6. TEAMS AREA RESERVATION ON START/FINISH ZONE

          In order to reserve a place for the team tent at the start/finish area, please contact us by email: xcmherzegovina@gmail.com

          Please note: The organizer does not provide the tents, only the place/location where you can pitch your tent.

          2.7. OFFICIAL ACCOMMODATION/TRANSFER CONTACTS

          All accommodation/transfers details, including hotels list and rooms/meals prices can be found by contacting:

          Fortuna Tours Mostar, Rade Bitange 34
          88000 Mostar
          Bosnia and Herzegovina
          Phone: +387 36 552 197; +387 36 551 888
          Mail: headoffice@fortuna.ba

          2.8. ACCOMMODATION FOR BALKAN NATIONAL REPRESENTATIONS

          Please keep in mind that accommodation facilities in the Blidinje Nature Park are motels and private apartments. If you want to reserve hotel accommodation, you will need to look for accommodation outside Blidinje Nature Park, in cities such as Mostar or Široki Brijeg.

          All accommodation/transfers details, including hotels list and rooms/meals prices can be found by contacting:

           

          Fortuna Tours Mostar, Rade Bitange 34
          88000 Mostar
          Bosnia and Herzegovina
          Phone: +387 36 552 197; +387 36 551 888
          Mail: headoffice@fortuna.ba

          2.9. MEDICAL – EMERGENCY – LOCAL AUTHORITIES

          A team of doctors and paramedics will be present onsite throughout competitions. The medical team will be based on the track during competition day.

          NEAREST HOSPITALS

          JZU Dom zdravlja Jablanica Sulje Čilića 15, Jablanica 88420 Phone: 036/752-664
          Mail: info@dzjablanica.ba
          Web: https://www.dzjablanica.ba/ba/index.php

          EMERGENCY AMBULANCE: 📞 124

          POLICE: 📞 122

          2.10. RIDERS SAFETY ON THE ROADS

              • The track will be fully marked for training sessions on Saturday 20.7. in 2024;

              • Please note that in some sections the track crosses asphalt roads that are over the main road, so we recommend high caution on those sections;

              • Riders on Saturday are training at their own risk;

              • On Sunday, during the race on the track, there will be stewards directing you on the course and ensuring your safety, along with police patrols on the main roads of the Blidinje Nature Park.

              • Please make sure you have your ID with you and light when you are outside the venue, on public road.

            3. TEAM SERVICES

            3.1. ACCREDITATION

            Riders/Officials Accreditation
            Accreditations will be available from Friday, 19th July, at the race office in accordance with the schedules below:

            Visitor Center of Blidinje Nature Park
            Friday, 19 July; from 12.00h till 19.00h Saturday, 20 July; from 10.00h till 19.00h

            Blidinje Ski Resort (on the day of the race)
            Sunday, 21 July; from 08.00h till 10.00h

            Please ensure that you collect your accreditation before arriving at the venue, as it will be Required for access to all parts of the venue. Accreditations must be worn and visible whenever you pass through accreditation controls.

            Race Office opening hours

            Friday, 19 July 12:00h – 19:00h
            Saturday, 20 July 10:00h – 19:00h
            Location: Visitor Center of Blidinje Nature Park
            Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dp6Yx9Wx5uTgwPEx5

            Sunday, 21 July 08:00 – 10:00h
            Location: Blidinje Ski Resort (on the day of the race)
            Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/DV9z4tdjSfBxM9Rp8

            4. OFFICIAL MEETINGS

            4.1. COMMISSAIRES PANEL MEETING

            Date: Saturday 20th July Time: 16:00h
            Location: Commissaires meeting room, Visitor Center of Blidinje Nature Park

            4.2. RIDERS BRIEFING

            Date: Saturday 20th July Time: 18:00h
            Location: Visitor Center of Blidinje Nature Park

            Attendance is required by:

                • Balkan Cycling Union & Cycling Federation BiH Presidents

                • UCI and National Commissaires

                • The National Team Coaches

                • Team Managers

                • Event Director

                • Event Technical & Safety Delegate

              5. MEDIA

              5.1. MEDIA CENTRE

              The Media Centre is located at Visitor Center of Blidinje Nature Park. Electricity supply and WiFi signal are provided for the media. In order to access the Media Centre an accreditation is necessary. To apply for media accreditation, please follow this link: https://bbf.ba/2023/12/08/press-area/

              Media and photographers accreditation’s can be collected during the opening hours of the race office.

              Please ensure that you collect your accreditation as soon as you arrive as it will be required for access to all parts of the venue. Accreditations must be worn and visible whenever you pass through accreditation controls.

              6. PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME

              6.1. COMPETITION SCHEDULE *

              Friday; 19th July
              Race office open from 12.00h – collect accreditations and race bibs numbers

              Saturday, 20th July
              Race office open from 10:00h till 19.00h – collect accreditations and race bibs
              Followed by – Training on track all day

              Sunday, 21th July
              Race office open from 08.00 – 10.00h
              10.00h – Start race UCI C1 XCM Herzegovina & Balkan Championship

              * subject to changes

              7. EVENT SPECIFIC REGULATIONS

              7.1. GENERAL RULES

                  • UCI Class 1 XCM Herzegovina race is organised by the Association Herzegovina Bike and Cycling federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

                  • The event will be organised in accordance with rules of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and these rules will be the reference for everything that is not mentioned in the current document.

                  • UCI Class 1 XCM Herzegovina race consist MTB marathon race, scheduled on 21 July 2024.

                  • UCI Class 1 XCM Herzegovina race is open to individual riders and National teams, license holders of their National Federation.

                  • The “XCM Herzegovina” race is open to individual riders for Non-Elite categories with or riders without license.

                  • The individual riders without a UCI license will be part of the Amateur category.

                Rewards

                    • Medals for the first 3 men and medals for the first 3 women will be awarded.

                    • The prize fund for the “UCI Class 1 XCM Herzegovina“ race is awarded according to the UCI regulations.

                    • For the other categories that compete in the “XCM Herzegovina” race (small track), merchandise prizes are guaranteed.

                  7.2. TYPE OF THE EVENT

                  The “UCI Class 1 XCM Herzegovina” (large track 83,69 km) is open to riders from the categories:

                      • Women Elite

                      • Men Elite
                    •  

                    The “XCM Herzegovina” (small track 52,10 km) is open to riders from the categories:

                        • Women Cadets

                        • Men Cadets

                        • Women Junior

                        • Men Junior

                        • Women Master (unified category)

                        • Men Master B

                        • Men Master C

                        • Men Master D

                        • Women Amateur (unified category)

                        • Men Amateur A

                        • Men Amateur B

                        • Men Amateur C

                      7.3. PARTICIPATION

                      The online registration opens on January 05. 2024 Registration will be done via the following link: www.link uskoro…

                      Registrations:

                          • Early bird registrations: from January 05. till March 31. – 20,00 €

                          • Regular entries: from April 01. till June 30. – 30,00 €

                          • Late entries: July 01. till July 15. – 40,00 €

                          • Last week enteries: July 16. till July 20. – 50,00 €

                        Please note:

                            • All riders who are not from Bosnia and Herzegovina, i.e., foreign riders facing issues with paying the registration fee or experiencing high banking charges when paying the fee from their country, are kindly requested to contact the organizer for special payment arrangements at xcmherzegovina@gmail.com

                            • In the event of any disqualification or withdrawal from the competition, the entry fee is not refundable, either in whole or in part.

                          Za plaćanja u Bosni i Hercegovini:
                          Udruga HerzegovinaBike;
                          Milana Šuflaja 58; Mostar
                          Broj računa: 3381302232463058
                          Naznaka: Kotizacija za XCM Herzegovina

                          For payments outside of Bosnia and Herzegovina:
                          Association HerzegovinaBike;
                          Milana Shuflaja 58; Mostar
                          Account number: BA 393381304832487724
                          Swift: UNCRBA 22
                          Indicate: Registration Fee for XCM Herzegovina

                          The license check and distribution of the bib number will take place in Visitor Centre Nature park Blidinje.

                          Onsite registration is available.

                          The starter pack includes:

                              • The right to participate in the Blidinje BIKE Festival event and participate in races

                              • Visualized Blidinje BIKE Festival T-shirt

                              • Visualized Blidinje BIKE Festival water bottle

                              • Starting number for the XCM Herzegovina race

                              • Timing chip

                              • Sponsor gifts

                              • Lunch on Saturday and Sunday

                              • Finisher medal

                              • Stewardship services at the race and rich feed zones

                              • Washing the bike after the race

                              • Access to the Bike Service Center

                              • Medical assistance

                              • Medals, trophies and prize money for UCI racing under Class 1 rules

                              • Entrance to the Pasta party on Saturday; July 20. 2024.

                            From July, 01. 2024. there is no shirt in the starter pack*

                            In the event of any disqualification or withdrawal from the competition, the entry fee is not refundable, either in whole or in part.

                            Start confirmation and collection of start numbers is at RACE OFFICE.
                            Address: Visitor Center Blidinje Nature park
                            Location:   https://maps.app.goo.gl/QxGZ8Y9sNr83hJx86

                                • Friday; July, 19th 2024. from 12.00h till 19.00h

                                • Saturday; July, 20th 2024. from 10.00h till 19.00h

                              The planned arrival of the Teams and National Representations is on Friday; July 19. 2024 or on Saturday, July 21, 2024.

                              On Saturday, July 20, 2024, the XCM Training track is open until 3 p.m.

                              The organizer provided lunch for all participants of the race UCI Class 1 XCM Herzegovina on Saturday July 20, approx. 2:00 p.m. (after recreational cycling event) and Sunday; July 21. after the race.

                              Riders Briefing
                              The riders or riders’ attendants briefing in the presence of Members of the Commissaires’ Panel, is scheduled on Saturday, 20th July at 18:00h In Visitor Centre Blidinje Nature park.
                              Location:   https://maps.app.goo.gl/QxGZ8Y9sNr83hJx86

                              8. UCI POINTS LIST

                              No. Points Elite Men Points Elite Women
                              1. 60 60
                              2. 40 40
                              3. 30 30
                              4. 25 25
                              5. 20 20
                              6. 18 18
                              7. 16 16
                              8. 14 14
                              9. 12 12
                              10. 10 10
                              11. 8 8
                              12. 6 6
                              13. 4 4
                              14. 2 2
                              15. 1 1
                              16. X X

                              9. AWARD CEREMONIES AND PRIZE MONEY LIST

                              The first 3 riders of the Final Classification of each category will present themselves for the official ceremony.

                              UCI Class 1 XCM Herzegovina
                              Categories Woman Elite and Men Elite Champion jersey & medals and prize money.

                              Prize Money

                              No. Men Elite Women Elite
                              1. 120 120
                              2. 100 100
                              3. 80 80
                              4. 60 60
                              5. 50 50
                              6. 40 40
                              7. 30 30
                              8. 25 25
                              9. 20 20
                              10. 10 10
                              TOTAL 535,00 € 535,00 €

                              10. ANTIDOPING CONTROLS

                              The antidoping regulations of the Agency for Anti-Doping Control of Bosnia and Herzegovina are entirely applicable to the event. The antidoping tests will take place at the antidoping station located in: Blidinje SKI Center.

                              More info: https://www.ada.gov.ba/index.php/bs/

                              11. PENALTIES

                              The UCI penalty scale is the only one applicable.

                              12. RESPONSIBILITIES

                              The Organiser and Cycling federation Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot, in any case, be held responsible in the event of accidents or material damage which may occur during official training and / or competitions.

                              The Organiser and Cycling federation Bosnia and Herzegovina decline any responsibility towards the riders, accompanying persons and thirdparties in the event of an accident.

                              In all cases not provided for in the specific regulations, the UCI regulations will be applicable.

                              13. UCI C1 XCM HERZEGOVINA MAP AND PROFILE

                              Route plan UCI C1 XCM Herzegovina 2024

                              Distance: 83,69 km; Total Ascent: 1.915 m
                              Link: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/240430853

                              Route plan XCM Herzegovina (small route)

                               

                              Distance: 52,10 km; Total Ascent: 955 m
                              Link: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/24042