Tour d'Azerbaijan announces 2015 course
By Amina Nazarli
The Tour d’Azerbaidjan is only a month away, and will again take
the peloton on a trip across the entire country – from the Caspian
Sea waterfront in the capital city of Baku to the mountains around
Gabala.
The race opens on May 6, with the traditional first stage from Baku
to Sumgayit, according to the Cycling Federation.
The start is again at the Big Flag Square on the Baku
waterfront. The 154 kilometers include a category 3 ranked climb
and three intermediate sprints. It ends with five laps of a closing
circuit course in Sumgayit, before the first overall leader of the
Tour d’Azerbaidjan 2015 is announced.
The stage two also starts in Baku, at the Velo Park, before the
peloton sets out on the difficult 187 kilometers to Ismayilli. The
stage includes three ranked climbs, including the race’s first
category one climb. Adding to the difficulties, there is also a
very steep descent just before that climb.
The third stage gets off to an early start in the mountain resort
town of Gabala. It is a “there-and-back” stage, taking the field
northwest to Sheki and the day’s only climb, before returning to
Gabala, for a total of 177 km. The stage will be shown live on
Eurosport.
The race leaves Gabala for the fourth stage on May 9, which takes
it to the finish in Mingachevir, and will again be broadcast live
on Eurosport. The race’ longest stage runs 204.6 km to the Sport
Center Stadium, which will be the site for various disciplines at
the Baku European Games in June.
The race closes on May 10 with the traditional circuit course
through the capital city of Baku. It starts and finishes at Freedom
Square.
Eurosport will carry the stage on television, showing the world the
beauties of the city, including its Old Town with its cobblestone
passages and steep climbs. A mass sprint finish is expected before
the closing ceremony to honor the overall winner of the 2015 Tour
d’Azerbaidjan.
--
Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on
Twitter: @amina_nazarli
Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz