Race in Slovenia: Tanović wins 4th place, Balkan Championship awaits

Five-time national champion and two-time Balkan vice-champion in mountain biking, twenty-two-year-old Lejla Tanović, competed in the UCI C2 race in Rogla (Slovenia) and won 4th place and 12 new UCI points. The victory, ahead of favored Slovenian Tanja Žakelj and World Cup winner, was taken by the third-ranked rider in the world, Ukrainian Yana Belomoina (3rd UCI ranking), reports the BH news agency Patria.

For the best BiH cyclist, this was the last preparatory race before the Balkan Championship, which awaits her in July. Tanović currently holds 80th place in the world UCI rankings, which is the best position for BiH, but further progress is expected after the points won in Rogla are registered.

Coach Amar Njemčević stated that the race was very demanding as it was held at an altitude of over 1,500 meters with well-prepared technical elements of the track.

- Lejla rode the race flawlessly and showed very strong form ahead of the upcoming Balkan Championship. Now we continue with the final preparations and small adjustments before the Balkan Championship, where the goal is to win a third consecutive medal - said Lejla's coach.

Lejla Tanović already has two medals from Balkan Championships, where she was silver in the U23 category in Macedonia in 2014, and the following year in Greece, she was also silver as the youngest competitor in the elite category.