Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

The roads of Azerbaijan will once again revive with the cycle wheels this spring, as Tour d’Azerbaidjan- 2016 cycle race will be held in the country.

The five-stage 2.1 category competition is scheduled for May 4-8.

Tour d’Azerbaidjan, organized by Azerbaijan Cycling Federation, Youth and Sports Ministry and Azerbaijan National Olympic Committee, with the support of the International Cycling Union, was first held in 2013.

In 2011 Tour d’Azerbaïdjan, a cycling tour in memory of national leader Heydar Aliyev "Big Caucasus" was organized, and in 2012 - the tour became an annual event, later transformed into Tour d'Azerbaidjan.

Last year the tour brought together 24 teams from around the world, which competed in a five stage race covering the entire Azerbaijan. The total distance covered by riders was 870 kilometers.The race was held across Baku, Sumgayit, Ismayilli, Gabala, Mingachevir and Sheki.

Sergey Firsanov of RusVelo won the closing stage of the Tour d’Azerbaidjan -2015, while Primoz Roglic took the overall win.

Today, cycling is one of the developing sports in Azerbaijan, which dated back to 1930.

Since the early 1990s, Azerbaijan hosted a wide range of bicycle contests. The national cyclists continued to participate in Baku and Azerbaijan championships riding 40 km per hour.

After Azerbaijan National Cycling Federation was founded in 1997, the sports became to revive in the country. Although the Federation is too young, but the achievements and the projects that have been put in practice still to give a better result.

One of the main commitments standing as a priority for the Cycling Federation is to establish new cycling schools and clubs across Azerbaijan's provinces, as well as stimulating the young generation into loving the sport.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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