The Chairman of the National Assembly, Predrag Markovic, visited Cacak on Saturday to mark the finish stage of the Tour of Serbia 2005 International Bicycle Race. Accompanied by heads of the Cacak municipality and race officials, Mr Markovic welcomed the cyclists and presented the winner with a gold medal, and the highest-ranked participants in overall standings with a yellow jersey, the cycling victory symbol. Addressing the gathered crowd and cyclists, Mr Markovic underlined that he, as Chairman of the National Assembly, is always present where the going is tough, and the fifth stage of the race, from Nis to Cacak, is the toughest one. “Races come and go, but one must ever be mindful of tradition. Cacak has for many years now had a successful cycling club, Borac (“Fighter”), and I hope that the municipal authorities will find a way to support that club, because Fighters from Cacak always need support”, Markovic concluded. In addition to Mr Markovic, the award ceremony was attended by the Minister of Capital Investment, Velimir Ilic, the chairman of the Cacak municipal assembly, Velimir Stanojevic, as well as officials of the Tour of Serbia 2005 race.

Continuing his visit to Cacak, Mr Markovic spoke to municipal officials about the consequences of recent flooding that destroyed four bridges along Zapadna Morava river and left the villages on either bank flooded, as well as about actions taken by the municipality to protect the population from further flooding.