Who is Mladen Belchev?
Mladen is the person who inspired the European Velo Marathon. It was his idea to cycle all the way from Pleven to London, unfortunately on the 6 May 2011, while cycling Mladen was hit by a motorbike and badly injured. He is currently continuing his rehabilitation and we hope that he will be able to fully recover and cycle the European Velo Marathon.
Mladen Belchev was born on 26th February 1953 in the Bulgarian village Trapishte near the town of Razgrad. As a child and adolescence he took upon sport, as the meaning of his life!
In 1966 he started training cycling on track and road, but because of a unfortunate fall where he broke his collarbone, he stopped training. He took up Athletics in the middle distances - 800, 1500 and 2000m and with obstacles until 1971.
After earning a military school gymnasiums for organizers in Velingrad and began working as an organizer in the gym Regional Hospital - Razgrad. Continues to train and compete in different athletic disciplines. Received his first bicycle - "Ukraine" as a gift from his wife in 1976. Moved to live in Pleven, together with his eldest daughter Catherine and his wife Valentina in December 1978.
Since the spring of 1979. to 1990. trained in Pleven and became a marathon runner.There ran six marathons in 42 km. 195 meters. Has completed two triathlon.
In 1990. participates in his first bicycle tourist transition velolosiped around Bulgaria. In 2000. buy the first bike with gears.
2001. participate in cycling expedition - "In the Footsteps of Tanyo Voivoda" for the first time, and subsequently 2 more times.
Of 2003. is already cycling marathon runner and participates in etc. Breveti. There are 10 Breveta 200, 400, 300 and 600 km. In 2006. take part in the fifth with a distance of 1222 km velomaraton. with control during 90 hours, but it is 89ch. and 5 min During this period he started four times that distance of 1200 km. But for technical reasons not finish successfully.
In 2007. finishes first in race distance of 1220 km in Bulgaria to qualify for participation in an international brevet "Paris-Brest-Paris" - this is his second marathon title.
In 2008. was elected president of the cycling club to Tourist Society "Kaylashka Valley" - Pleven. From 2004 to 2010. has participated in five national cycling campaign with a total distance of 700 to 900 km. His third marathon title achieved by preparing and participating in two ascents of C. Botev, four laps of the 100 km from Vitosha. and three ascents of Black Peak. He has participated in four cycling races in age group "Veterans' ranking second. In 2007. team takes part in 24h velomaraton of 360 km. 2010. participate in 24 hour mountain velomaraton - team standings with a final second place again.
His most recent fourth marathon title is achieved by participation in the first charity bicycle tour of Bulgaria, with 3150 km distance. -33 Days in 33 cities, under the motto "For safe cycling."
In 2016. will be age 50 years. in sports and cycling!
Mladen Belchev is a man with limitless sportsmanship, enthusiasm and willingness.Because of this he managed to overcome the shock and physical anguish of the crash, and which will allow him to go ahead!
English Transcription of the TV material about Mladen Belchev. To see the video (available in Bulgarian only) please click here.
The 58-year-old Mladen Belchev from Pleven is one of the veteran participants in the National Cycling (velo) Marathon. The 3100 km Marathon run between the 33 largest Bulgarian cities in April and May this year.
Mladen was also a finalist in the French marathon Paris-Brest-Paris.
He is a sworn lover of cycling, healthy lifestyle and nature. After 45 years pedalling and many thousands of kilometres cycling in Bulgaria and Europe the pensioner with a mind and body of an athlete, was severely hit by a motorcyclist in the park of the town of Pleven - Kaylaka.
"It was my luck that an unscrupulous rider who rode in our park in Pleven, which is specially designed for Cyclists and pedestrians. There is a speed limit (40km), he drove with 92 km/hr. “said Mladen Belchev .
"With my friend Mladen we were entering a left turn and a motorist hit on us. The rider ran into my friend. I only saw him flying through the air, like s rag doll, "said Witness Martin, friend of the Mladen.
The pensioner has two broken legs, four broken ribs, three cervical vertebrae and severe injury in his left arm, which still remains paralysed. After the 10 days, after developing sepsis, his chances to live were estimated at 20%. Mladen survived and after a month after the the terrible incident the cyclist is determined to get back on the bicycle to make the trip of a lifetime.
"Now I feel a great desire to recover as quickly as possible and to be able to accomplish a cycling marathon across Europe, we will follow the Danube river against the tide and cycle to London to celebrate the Olympic Games. If we don‘t get there for the opening, at least to arrive for the closing of the London Olympics, "said Mladen.
Personal suffering and the drama that occur on the roads in Bulgaria haven’t discouraged Mladen. The 58-year-old man has an ambition to get back on his feet and go all the way from Pleven to London next year during the Olympics.
Mladen wants to promote ethics and wisdom on the road; to make sure motorists understand that cyclists are vulnerable road users, who must be protected.
His motivation is his lifelong love for cycling.
"In 2016 it will be 50 years since I learnt to cycle. I always had a bike available. I worked in the local Power station and even though I had a car, I always cycled to work. I would jump on my bike and get to work. “recalls Mladen.
Mladen was hit because he was out cycling, but doctors are adamant that it was the bicycle and his physical form and culture, that saved his life and will be the reason why at nearly 60 Mladen will recover from his horrific injuries.
And he has the will and desire to do so.
"When a patient is irresolute, not involved, the process of recovery is very difficult. Mladen is active and fit and we rely on that for his recovery, "said Dr. Vasil Ninov, rehabilitator. He said Mladen will ride a bicycle after 6-7-8 months but maybe even sooner.
Mladen‘s left hand will not recover.
But he believes he will come to London with just one hand.
Mladen is looking for partners to join him him for the Olympic Velo Marathon to London. According to him, we should educate our children not only to read and write, but to love nature to love people. To help them develop a caring attitude, not one for bullying and destruction.
While Mladen struggles to get back on his feet again, his friends are trying to get the police in Pleven to make sure their right to move safely in the park is protected.
I have cycled in park Kayluka for a long time, but I think traffic safety is not well controlled by the police there. It will be really nice to have a patrol car to control the disrespectful of the road rules young guys, who do not think for their own safety, and are ignorant to others‘, “said Mladen.
Otherwise many people die like that, without being guilty of anything.
The motorcyclist, who crippled Mladen, was driving with a cheap helmet, fake brand. He sustained a severe head injury and now has lost part of his mind. It was the second time he rode that motorbike. He overestimated his abilities -he drove too fast and a machine that is too powerful.
Mladen will be happy to inspire young people to realize what a responsibility life is.
Anyone who wants to get in touch with Mladen, to help his cause, to join the trip to the London Olympics or simply to encourage him can contact him through the website for the Olympic Velo Marathon: www.olympicvelomarathon.com
The journey will begin exactly one year from now on June 23, 2012 -the International Olympic Day.
