Synergy Baku to join Almaty tour
By Nigar Orujova
Azerbaijan's first professional cycling team, Synergy Baku, was invited to race in the UCI Tour of Almaty, Kazakhstan.
The one-day tour to be held on August 3 will be rated UCI 1.1, and so far up to 20 teams have been invited to take part in the 186 km race.
The Synergy Baku Cycling Project team will take up a challenge of racing among the strongest and the most influential teams, such as Astana Pro Team, Movistar, Omega Pharma-Quick-Step, Giant Shimano and Katusha Team.
Synergy Baku will also fight for the victory in the French UCI 2.2 cycling road race the Circuit Des Ardennes on April 11-13.
The Synergy-Baku Cycling Project promoted itself to the world with the slogan "From Baku with Love." The project has been put together by Irishman David McQuaid, the eldest son of UCI president Pat MacQuaid, in collaboration with the cycling federation of Azerbaijan with the aim of raising the standard of cycling in the country.
The history of cycling in Azerbaijan goes back to 1930. Since the early 90's, Azerbaijan hosted a wide range of bicycle contests and Azerbaijani bicyclists participated in local and international championships.
The first professional cycling competition the Tour d'Azerbaidjan took place in the country in May 2012 with the participation of 17 teams from 15 countries. The annual competition Tour d'Azerbaidjan is a 2.2 event on the UCI Europe Tour which starts in Baku and passes through Azerbaijani regions.