On July 17, participants of the multi-day Kazakhstan Umiti National Bike Race for Juniors started their journey in East Kazakhstan region. After the opening ceremony, which took place on the main city square in Ust-Kamenogorsk, cyclists faced their first 80-kilometre stage in the Chechek Gorge.
Photo credit: altaynews.kz
The eastern part of the country is called a “small bicycle academy,” because of its natural landscape and highlands and plains, which allow cyclists to test their abilities. Those who are able to overcome the route can get a place on the national cycling team.
The first national race was organised two years ago. This time the race gathered six teams from Zhambyl, Pavlodar, North Kazakhstan, South Kazakhstan and East Kazakhstan, as well as one guest team from Novosibirsk, Russia. The race lasted for a week and riders cycled more than 100 kilometres per day.
The opening ceremony was attended by representative of the National Scientific and Practical Centre for Physical Education of the Kazakh Ministry of Education and Science Sergey Gorkushenko. The main judge of competition was Rashid Khakimov.
“This is a 15-year-old tradition to welcome participants of various bike races in East Kazakhstan and all because of our beautiful mountain landscapes. We can say that the route is similar to the one where the international race Tour de France takes place,” explained race organiser Sayat Nurgaliyev.
The riders traveled through the North village, the Sunny village and the Bobrovka village of the Glubokovsky district on their way to Bozanbai and Tainty villages located in the Ulan district. The race ended July 24.
The event was organised by the National Scientific and Practical Centre for Physical Culture, the akimat (local administration) of the East Kazakhstan region and the regional Department of Education.
