Idman.biz
The first meeting of the Organizing Committee of the "Baku-Khankendi" Azerbaijan Cycling Race, a UCI 2.1 category event, was held.
Idman.Biz reports that Sahib Alakbarov, Chairman of the Organizing Committee and First Vice-President of the Azerbaijan Cycling Federation, stated that President Ilham Aliyev pays great attention and care to the development of cycling, along with other sports. He noted that, as the head of state specifically emphasized during the opening of the Baku Velopark, cycling is both an interesting and attractive sport, and road cycling races have exceptional opportunities to convey the beauty of the places where they are held to a wide audience.
Sahib Alakbarov, recalling the successful hosting of the international road cycling races dedicated to the memory of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in Azerbaijan every year from 2013 to 2017, and the BMX World Championship in Baku in 2018, presented a video prepared and broadcast by Eurosport in 2015.
Then, noting that there have been certain gaps in this area in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and some other reasons, he briefly informed about the work done to restore cycling to its previous level, in accordance with the instructions of the country's leadership, after the new leadership of the Cycling Federation was elected in May of this year. It was emphasized that the material and technical base of cycling has been strengthened, and cycling sections have been created on the basis of sports schools in 12 cities and regions. An appeal was made to the International Cycling Union (UCI) to restore the international cycling race dedicated to the memory of the Great Leader.
After the race was included in the UCI's calendar plan for 2026 under the name "Baku-Khankendi Azerbaijan Cycling Race" in November of this year, the participation of 21 teams from 18 countries was officially confirmed in a short period of time. The participants include 1 World Tour team, 7 Pro-Tour teams, 12 continental teams, and the Azerbaijan national team. After reviewing the list of these teams, the logo of the Baku-Khankendi cycling race was presented.
S. Alakbarov stated that, according to the agreement reached with Eurosport, the most influential sports channel on the planet, all stages of the race will be broadcast live during the day for 5 days, and a summary will be broadcast worldwide in the evening after each stage during prime time for 1 hour.
Then the routes of the race stages were presented:
10.05.2026
Stage I: Start from "Sea Breeze", passing through the sights of Baku and finishing in Sumgayit (158.7 km)
11.05.2026
Stage II: Baku – Shamakhi – Ismayilli (193.2 km)
12.05.2026
Stage III: Gabala – Oguz – Sheki – Mingachevir (163.3 km)
13.05.2026
Stage IV: Ganja – Goygol – Goranboy – Sugovushan – Talish – Naftalan (152.7 km)
14.05.2026
Stage V: Tartar – Aghdam – Fuzuli – Shusha – Khankendi (181.3 km)
At the meeting, issues of security, preparation of road infrastructure, regulation of traffic, medical support, media activities, and logistics of participating teams related to the race were discussed in detail.
The importance of the "Baku-Khankendi" Azerbaijan cycling race in terms of conveying to the world community our country's tourism and sports potential, the experience gained in organizing international sports events, and the large-scale restoration and development processes carried out in the liberated territories was emphasized once again, and specific instructions were given to ensure its high-level implementation.
It should be noted that the race will be held on May 10-14.
11:26
The logo of the "Baku-Khankendi" Azerbaijan Cycling Race was presented.
Idman.Biz reports that the logo was demonstrated at the meeting of the Organizing Committee of the race.
The logo in the form of an infinity sign was presented in three versions.
It should be noted that the race will be held on May 10-14, 2026.
