The Tour of Albania () is an annual multi-stage road cycling race held in Albania. Established in 1925, it is one of the oldest sporting competitions in the country and is organized by the Albanian Cycling Federation. Since 2017, the race has been part of the UCI Europe Tour calendar as a category 2.2 event.
The race is contested over several stages across different regions and attracts both local and international professional and amateur cycling teams.
History The first edition of the Tour of Albania was organized on August 25, 1925 and covered a distance of 1,300 kilometers. On the inaugural race, local municipalities and prefectures along the route hosted a ceremonial welcome, providing the cyclists with lodging, meals and medical assistance. It became customary for the top three cyclists in each stage to receive special gifts in recognition of their performance.
The competition was interrupted in several ocassions during periods of political unrest and throughout World War II. The race would resume in 1946 and soon became an annual event organized by Albania’s cycling authorities. During communist rule, it grew into one of the country’s leading sporting competitions, bringing together teams representing cities, sports clubs and state institutions.
In 2017, the Tour of Albania was officially included in the UCI Europe Tour calendar, raising its international profile and attracting professional teams from several countries.
The 2020 edition of the race was cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Format The tour is held as a road stage race contested over multiple days. Stages are typically organized through mountainous terrain, coastal roads and urban circuits throughout Albania. The overall winner is determined by the lowest cumulative time across all stages.
The race is organized by the Albanian Cycling Federation and sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) as part of the Europe Tour.
Winners Wins Rider Editions11 Bilal Agalliu (ALB) 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 19657 Besnik Musaj (ALB) 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 20016 Agim Tafili (ALB) 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 19855 Palion Zarka (ALB) 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 20074 Fadil Muriqi (ALB) 1950, 1951, 1952, 19533 Agron Tafilica (ALB) 1973, 1974, 1975 Besmir Banushi (ALB) 2010, 2011, 2012 2 Pirro Angjeli (ALB) 1946, 1949 Mishel Cico (ALB) 1948, 1948 Sali Hima (ALB) 1967, 1968 Muharrem Ahmeti (ALB) 1970, 1972 Lutfi Zino (ALB) 1971, 1977 Agron Huqi (ALB) 1978, 1987 Selim Çelmeta (ALB) 1989, 1990 Agim Paja (ALB) 1991, 1994 Jonid Toska (ALB) 2008, 2009 Marko Stanković (SRB) 2014, 2015 Ylber Sefa (ALB) 2016, 20221 Jonuz Gjylbegu (ALB) 1925 Koço Kereku (ALB) 1936 Gani Lacej (ALB) 1947 Ruzhdi Muriqi (ALB) 1964 Shefqet Dervishi (ALB) 1966 Dashamir Rama (ALB) 1969 Kastriot Mezini (ALB) 1976 Albert Çuko (ALB) 1983 Ardian Ferraizi (ALB) 1986 Sytki Tafili (ALB) 1988 Agron Boga (ALB) 1993 Admir Hasimaj (ALB) 2002 Eugert Zhupa (ALB) 2013 Francesco Bongiorno (ITA) 2017 Michele Gazzara (ITA) 2018 Filippo Fiorelli (ITA) 2019 Dušan Veselinović (SRB) 2021 Max Stedman (GBR) 2023 Veljko Stojnić (SRB) 2024 Tom Jonkmans (NED) 2025 Niels Reemeijer (NED) 2026
See also Albanian Cycling Federation UCI Europe Tour
References