Over 2,000 gather at start line for first cross country biking event this year in Romania

Biking continues to increase in popularity in Romania, with a competition gathering over 2,000 participants last week-end in Bucharest. The event, called the First Escape 2012, is in its second edition and opens the season for mountain biking competitions in Romania. Held this year on May 13, the event was won by Belgian Wouter Cleppe, who finished the 55 km route in one hour and 48 minutes. Romanian Marius Petrache came in second place, only a few seconds after Cleppe. The 2,140 bikers started the 55-km route from Bucharest to Snagov this year, topping the 1,300 participants in the event last year. It took the group of contestants eight minutes to all pass the start line. The first edition of this biking event was held in 2009. The entry fee for the event was RON 45 to RON 60, depending on the submission day. editor@romania-insider.com