BELGRADE, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The 46th international cycling race Across Serbia will be held in Serbia in June, attracting cyclists from 25 countries and regions, reports said on Saturday.

    Organizing committee chairman Predrag Markovic was quoted as saying that the race was to be held on June 12-18. The 7-day tour event will include 1,020 kilometers in six stages.

    Serbian tourism minister Bojan Dimitrijevic has said that the organizers selected Belgrade, Novi Sad, Kopaonik and three other Serbian cities to connect the race, in a bid to showcase the Balkan republic's culture, scenery, relics and customs by hosting the race.

    The Across Serbia cycling race, which began in 1939, has developed into a highly influential traditional cycling event. The race in 2005 was attended by 126 cyclists from 20 countries and regions and the title was won by Croatian cyclist Matija Kvasina. Enditem