The world cycling map will get a new, strong name in April 2026. The Tour of Bosnia and Herzegovina will experience its first edition on Friday, April 17, when a caravan of professional teams will set off from Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, towards the grand finale on the Adriatic coast – in Neum.
The day before, on Thursday, April 16, Sarajevo will host teams from all over the world who will make official registrations and participate in the race presentation at the premises of the Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina, followed by a ceremonial presentation of the race to high-ranking guests.
Huge international interest already in the first edition
Although it is a debut edition, the interest in performing at the Tour of Bosnia and Herzegovina exceeded all expectations. The organizers confirm that all starting places have been filled in accordance with UCI rules, while as many as 72 professional teams from all over the world have expressed their desire to come. Interest is not abating - applications and inquiries arrive daily.
The organizers are not yet releasing information about the exact number of participating countries, and say that this information will be officially announced at the official presentation of the race on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, which will be held in the city of Mostar. What has been confirmed is that teams from all five continents will be at the start, and earlier media appearances mentioned the participation of more than 35 countries around the world.
Route overview: 390 kilometers, 4,400 meters of ascent
In its first edition, the Tour of Bosnia and Herzegovina consists of three stages, with a total length of 390 kilometers and a height difference of 4,400 meters, which connect the interior of the country with its only outlet to the sea.
Etape Tour of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2026:
- Stage | Sarajevo – Mostar | 148 km | 1,370 m of ascent
- stage | Mostar – Ljubuški | 122 km | 1,406 m of ascent
- stage | Ljubuški – Neum | 118 km | 1,676 m of ascent
148 km | Fast and attractive stage
The first stage is already known as one of the potentially fastest stages in major international tour races. The start in Sarajevo leads the peloton along the highway section all the way to Bradina, followed by a fast and dynamic ride through Konjic, where there will be a passing sprint finish and the awarding of the blue shirt to the fastest driver.
Jablanica will host a hill finish line (KOM), which will award points for the red jersey of the best climber, before entering one of the most visually impressive sections of the race – the Neretva River Canyon. Organizers estimate that the average speed of the stage could exceed 48 km/h, making this stage one of the fastest in professional cycling.
The final stage will be driven through Mostar, with 3 laps through the entire city, and the winner of the stage and the first holder of the Tour's yellow jersey will be announced in the very center of the city. The television broadcast will be further enriched by helicopter footage of the natural beauty of Herzegovina, with a special emphasis on the Neretva Valley.
Stage 2 | Mostar – Ljubuški
122 km | Dynamic Herzegovinian stage
The second stage takes cyclists from Mostar along the M17 main road towards Čapljina, then further towards Ljubuški and Grude, before returning to Ljubuški, where the stage ends.
The attractive tourist destination of Peć Mlini will host the mountain finish (KOM), while Grude will host the sprint finish for the blue jersey. Upon arrival in Ljubuški, the peloton will ride a city circuit, and the finish in front of the municipality building will decide the winner of the second stage and the new (or confirmed) holder of the Tour's yellow jersey.
Stage 3 | Ljubuški – Neum
118 km | From UNESCO heritage site to the Adriatic Sea
The final stage brings a blend of culture, history and spectacular scenery. The start in Ljubuški takes cyclists through local destinations and UNESCO sites of stećak tombstones, after which the race rejoins the highway.
A special visual highlight of the stage will be aerial footage of the Kravice waterfall, as well as the peloton's passage over the imposing Herzegovina viaduct over the Neretva River. Stolac will host a sprint finish, while the climb at the UNESCO site of Boljuni will decide the winner of the hill finish and the red jersey.
The grand finale will take place in Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina's only outlet to the Adriatic Sea. The overall winner of the Tour of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be announced there and the yellow jersey will be awarded. Interestingly, many teams have already expressed their desire to stay in Neum for 2–3 days for rest and training before the competition season resumes.
New race, big ambition
The Tour of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in its first edition, has already shown its ambition to become a recognizable international sporting and tourist event, combining top-notch cycling, natural beauty and the country's rich cultural heritage. From Olympic Sarajevo to Adriatic Neum, this race offers a route that promises spectacle – both on and off the road.
