On December 23, the first meeting of the Organizing Committee of the UCI Category 2.1 “Baku–Khankendi” Azerbaijan Cycling Race was held.
The event was attended by senior officials and responsible representatives from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, TABIB (Management Union of Medical Territorial Units), the State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads, the Main State Traffic Police Department of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Baku City State Traffic Police Department, as well as other relevant state institutions and organizations involved in the organization of the race.
Addressing the meeting, Sahib Alakbarov, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, First Vice-President of the Azerbaijan Cycling Federation, noted that President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev pays great attention and care to the development of cycling as well as other sports, and emphasized that, as the head of state specifically highlighted during the opening of the Baku Velopark, cycling is both an interesting and attractive sport, and road cycling races have exceptional opportunities to showcase the beauty of the places where they are held to a wide audience.
Recalling that between 2013 and 2017, international road cycling races dedicated to the memory of National Leader of our people Heydar Aliyev were successfully held in Azerbaijan every year, and in 2018, the World Championship in BMX cycling was conducted in Baku with great success, Sahib Alakbarov presented to the meeting participants the video prepared and broadcast by the “Eurosport” channel in 2015.
Afterwards, he noted that in recent years, certain gaps had emerged in this field due to the COVID-19 pandemic and some other reasons, and briefly informed about the work carried out to restore cycling to its previous level, in line with the instructions of the country’s leadership, after the new leadership of the Cycling Federation was elected in May of the current year. It was highlighted that the material and technical base of cycling has been strengthened, and cycling sections have been established at sports schools in 12 cities and districts. An appeal was made to the International Cycling Union (UCI) regarding the resumption of the international cycling race dedicated to the memory of the Great Leader.
After the race was included in the UCI 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. Among the participants, there is 1 World Tour team, 7 Pro Tour teams, 12 continental teams, and the Azerbaijani National Team. After familiarizing themselves with the list of these teams, the logo of the “Baku-Khankendi” Azerbaijan Cycling Race was presented.
Sahib Alakbarov stated that, based on the agreement reached with “Eurosport”, the planet’s most prestigious sports channel, all stages of the five-day race will be broadcast live during the day, and in the evening following each stage, a one-hour highlight show will be aired worldwide during prime viewing times. The routes of the race stages were then presented:
10.05.2026
I mərhələ: Stage I: Starting from “Sea Breeze”, passing through the sights of Baku city and finishing in Sumgayit (158.7 km)
11.05.2026
II mərhələ: Stage II: Baku – Shamakhi – Ismayilli (193.2 km)
12.05.2026
III mərhələ: Stage III: Gabala – Oghuz – Shaki – Mingachevir (163.3 km)
13.05.2026
IV mərhələ: Stage IV: Ganja – Goygol – Goranboy – Sugovushan – Talish – Naftalan (152.7 km)
14.05.2026
V mərhələ: Stage V: Tartar – Aghdam – Fuzuli – Shusha – Khankendi (181.3 km)
At the meeting, issues related to the race, including security, preparation of road infrastructure, regulation of traffic, medical support, media operations, and logistics for participating teams, were discussed in detail.
The significance of the “Baku-Khankendi” Azerbaijan Cycling Race in conveying to the world community our country’s tourism and sports potential, the experience gained in hosting international sports events, and the large-scale restoration and development processes underway in the territories liberated from occupation was once again emphasized, and specific instructions were given to ensure that it is held at a high level.
