The cycling race among schoolchildren has taken place in the Balakan district. The event has been jointly organized by the Azerbaijan Cycling Federation, the Balakan District Executive Authority, the Association of Sports Organizations of Azerbaijan Trade Unions, and the Shaki-Zagatala Regional Youth and Sports Department.
During the opening ceremony, Head of the Balakan District Executive Authority Natig Aghayev, Member of Parliament Azer Karimli, and other officials expressed their satisfaction that such a race was being held for the first time in the district and voiced confidence that the event would greatly boost interest in cycling as a sport in Balakan. They noted that bicycles are already widely used as a means of transportation in both Balakan and Zagatala districts, with the current focus now shifting toward promoting cycling as a competitive sport.
Nearly 150 schoolchildren from Balakan, Zagatala, and Gakh districts competed in three different age groups, participating on their own bicycles and first proving their strength in the semi-final stage.
The race route wound through the central streets of Balakan city along a 3.5-kilometer loop, where participants showcased their speed and technical abilities in an intense and exciting contest.
The fastest and most enduring cyclists in each age group advanced to the final stage. In the boys' category for those born between 2008 and 2010, Balakan schoolchildren claimed the top three positions, with Famil Hasanov taking first place, Irakli Rahimov securing second, and Rasul Alisoltanov finishing third.
Among the girls, participants from Zagatala district dominated, as Fatma Mehdiyeva came in first ahead of all competitors, followed by Habset Bughliyeva in second and Huru Mammadova in third.
In the boys' category for those born between 2011 and 2014, Balakan schoolchildren again stood out, with Gurban Mollachiyev proving the strongest in the final race, Jahid Ramazanli finishing second, and Ibrahim Hajiyev taking third.
The top-performing athletes received medals, diplomas, and gifts from the organizers, while the first-place winners in each category were additionally presented with bicycles by the Azerbaijan Cycling Federation.
