Balgarianovinite.com The long-time cyclist and coach Georgi Dimitrov from Razgrad preserves a more than century-old yellow jersey from the first Tour of Bulgaria, held in 1924. The relic belonged to the first winner of the race, Georgi Abadzhiev.
Dimitrov, who is a former overall champion of Bulgaria from the late 1960s, told BTA that he received the jersey personally from Abadzhiev during an awards ceremony at the velodrome. According to him, the gesture symbolised continuity between generations in cycling. “He told me that he already had a worthy successor on the road,” he recalled.
Nowadays, Dimitrov continues to preserve the historic jersey with particular care. Although it is heavily worn by time, it has been kept in its original condition. “I thought about repairing it, but that would destroy its authenticity,” Dimitrov explained. According to him, various institutions, including from the capital, have shown interest in the jersey, but he refuses to part with it. “This is a relic for Razgrad and it must remain here,” he said firmly. The veteran added that he would donate the jersey to a museum if a suitable exhibition dedicated to the history of cycling were created.
Georgi Dimitrov’s career began in 1966. As a young enthusiast, he sought ways to watch track races, often jumping over the fence of the velodrome in Razgrad, the veteran said. Initially, he competed on the track and became part of the national team. Later, after winning the road title in Varna, he switched to road cycling under the guidance of coaches Nencho Hristov and Boyan Kotsev.
As early as 1967, Dimitrov recorded his first significant international success – a victory in a competition in Poland. This was also his first participation outside Bulgaria. In the following years, he competed in a number of countries, including the former GDR, where he also won distinctions. Among the most memorable moments of his career, the cyclist highlighted his victory in Leipzig, when the Bulgarian national anthem was played at the track.
During his active competitive career, which lasted around 15 years, Dimitrov won more than 70 medals. He then devoted himself to coaching, working at the Sports School in Razgrad for 13 years, and also became a coach of Bulgaria’s national track team. According to him, cycling has given him discipline, health and longevity. “I do not smoke, I do not drink, I am healthy and at 77 I continue to work. I do not feel my age,” Dimitrov said. He noted that he now rides a bicycle less frequently but continues to follow the development of cycling and support young competitors in Razgrad. According to him, there are talented boys in the city and a dedicated coach such as Miroslav Minchev. Dimitrov, however, expressed concern about the condition of the velodrome. “It used to be well maintained, with flowers and orderly stands, and now the seats are broken and there is a lack of care,” he commented. According to him, the lack of funding and sufficient attention to the sport is hindering the development of cycling. Dimitrov believes that for the rise of cycling in Razgrad to continue, investments in infrastructure, modern equipment and better training conditions are needed.
The Razgrad veteran believes that Bulgaria hosting a stage of the Giro d’Italia cycling tour is an event of exceptional importance and recognition for Bulgarian cycling. According to him, such events increase the country’s international prestige and provide additional impetus for the development of the sport. Dimitrov drew a parallel with his personal experience of participating in the relay of the Olympic flame ahead of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games, when he was among the athletes who carried the flame on Bulgarian territory.
Georgi Dimitrov addressed a message to young competitors to train hard, without doping and harmful habits. His appeal to the institutions is for more active support so that cycling in Razgrad can continue to achieve success both on the track and on the road. “History must be remembered – the first winner of the Tour of Bulgaria, Georgi Abadzhiev, is a source of pride for Razgrad. It is our duty to preserve and develop this tradition,” Dimitrov added. Long-time Cyclist Preserves Century-old Historic Jersey from First Tour of Bulgaria 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-05-06 07:42:00 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law