Azerbaijani team for int'l cycling tour presented in Baku
By Nigar Orujova
Azerbaijan's first professional cycling team, Synergy Baku Cycling Project, held an official presentation in Baku last week.
An international cycling tour, "Tour of Azerbaijan 2013", will bring together 25 teams from 23 countries to Azerbaijan on May 1-5.
Azerbaijan will be representedat the International Cycling Union (UCI) Europe Tour 2.2 Category event by the Synergy Baku Cycling Project team, which made a successful debut on the international circuit earlier this year.
Opening the presentation, Sahib Alekperov, Vice President of the Azerbaijan Cycling Federation and chairman of the Organizing Committee of the 2013 Tour d'Azerbaidjan ("Tour of Azerbaijan"), spoke about recent initiatives to develop cycling in Azerbaijan.
Alekperov said cycling has recently enjoyed boom in the country thanks to the efforts to develop sports by Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, who chairs the National Olympic Committee.
Over the last year, the Federation spearheaded a range of initiatives designed to help promote and develop cycling, improve the sport's infrastructure and strengthen international links. One of the most significant of these developments was the creation of the Synergy Baku Cycling Project.
According to Alekperov, the creation of the country's first professional cycling team and its participation in international competitions have helped to put Azerbaijan on the international cycling map and has increased interest in the sport in the country.
The team was formed at the end of 2012, however, they have already accomplished some notable achievements, participating in a number of international events including the Tour de Langkawi (Malaysia), the Tour de Taiwan, the Tour of Thailand, the Tour de Filipines (Philippines), the Melaka Governor`s Cup (Malaysia) and the Rutland GP (UK).
These results inspire hope for future success and strong performance of Azerbaijani cyclists.
The full Synergy Baku Cycling Project consists of Elchin Asadov, Samir Djabrailov, David Clarke, Dan Craven, John Ebsen, Tural Iskanderov, Akshin Teimur Ismailov, Anwar Manan, David McCann, Connor McConvey, Ruslan Mustafaev, Elvin Nagiev, Kirill Pozdnyakov, Rico Rogers, Christoph Shweizer and Alexander Surutkovich.
Highly experienced British cyclist Jeremy Hunt, who was the British national road race champion in 1997 and 2001, is the team's manager.
The team held an open training on Sunday.
According to Hunt, the cyclists as well as staff are preparing hard for the upcoming tour.
According to the technical director of Synergy Baku David McQuaid, Synergy Baku Cycling Project aims to bring the Azerbaijani cycling up to Olympic standards.
"Our main goal for this team is to develop Azerbaijani cycling. We aim to qualify starters in road and track events for the Rio Olympic Games. In doing so, perhaps, we inspire a new generation of cyclists," McQuaid said in an interview to the official page of The Tour d'Azerbaidjan.
The U23 category tour (for athletes under 23 years old) is organized by the Azerbaijan Cycling Federation with support of the Youth and Sports Ministry, the National Olympic Committee and the UCI.
The first stage of the tour will start on May 1 in Baku near the Heydar Aliyev Center. Having passed 11 laps of 157 kilometers through the avenue, the participants will finish near the Center's building.
The next day, on May 2, starting from the brand new cycling park on the Caspian Sea shore, the peloton will move towards the Great Caucasus ridge and, covering 183 kilometers, will finish near the town of Ismayilli.
On May 3, the cyclists will head for Sheki from Gabala, passing the Oguz region, and back to Gabala, thus covering 165 kilometers.
On May 4, the race will start at Gabala, whence the peloton will move towards Shamakhi and after covering 116 kilometers will finish near the Pirguli Observatory, 1,450 meters above sea level.
The final, 146 kilometer long stage, will pass through the central avenues and streets of Baku, and after making 12 laps will finish in front of the Government House.
The cycling tournament will have an increased total prize fund of 69,000 euros.
The winner will be granted 6,000 euros, and the ones to be distinguished in the sprint and mount competitions will also be awarded money prizes.
The first professional cycling competition took place in Azerbaijan in May 2012 with the participation of 17 teams from 15 countries.