Tour of Almaty 2013

The Tour of Almaty international cycling race, the first cycling race in the history of Kazakhstan, was held on October 6, 2013 under the International Cycling Union (UCI). The Tour of Almaty 2013 was classified as 1.2, which, according to the UCI rules, is a one-day group race of second category. Mayor of Almaty, Kazakhstan Cycling Federation and Sports Technologies of Kazakhstan were organizers of the race.

Maxim Iglinskyi, a famous Kazakh cyclist, conqueror of the legendary classics Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and a member of Astana Pro Team won the first Tour of Almaty in 2013. The second prizer was Sonny Solberelli, a representative of Italy of Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox team. Ruslan Tleubayev, another representative of Kazakhstan, was the third winner. In sprinters ranking, Alexey Lutsenko was the best in the world among unders (U23) and had the largest score in intermediate stages.

 

Twenty teams attended the race. Three of them were professional continental teams, 12, continental teams, three, national, one, regional, and one, club team. In total,16 of the world countries were present at the first Tour of Almaty: Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Italy, the United States, Poland, Austria, Latvia, Brunei, France, Ireland, Azerbaijan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Moldova and the Netherlands.

Kazakhstan dominated the race with the largest number of cyclists - 21 cyclists in three teams: a national team, Astana continental team, and Vino 4-ever club.

The total prize fund of Tour Almaty 2013 was 39,900 EUR. The winner of the race received 15,000 EUR.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) highly appreciated management of this sport event, which attracted leading cycling teams from Europe, Asia, and Americas.

Nursultan Nazarbaev, the President of Kazakhstan, commented that the first cycling race was essential for the international presentation of Almaty. He added that such kind of races must positively impact the development of sports in the city and allow the whole world to learn more about our country through Almaty.

HISTORY

Alexander Vinokurov, the legend of Kazakhstan cycling, the Olympic champion in highway group racing in 2012, a founder of Astana Pro Team cycling team, inspired the first international bicycle race Tour of Almaty in Kazakhstan.

Alexander Vinokourov admitted that hosting an international race in Kazakhstan was a dream he had for the last years.

 

The Tour of Almaty was the first one-day race under the International Cycling Union (UCI) and took place in Almaty on October 6, 2013. The Tour of Almaty 2013 was classified as 1.2, which, according to the UCI rules, is a one-day group race of second category.

In February, 2013 Mayor of Almaty, the UCI, and the Kazakhstan Cycling Federation signed letter of intention to host a one-day highway race Tour of Almaty.

Sports Technologies of Kazakhstan, which previously successfully managed the Track Cycling World Cup, was entrusted to manage the race as well.

Initially, the Kazakhstan Cycling Federation suggested five options for routes of the Tour of Almaty. Each of them was compiled to show the largest city in Kazakhstan in all its glory to the world cycling community. Finally, the Major of Almaty has chosen the route along the Al-Farabi Avenue, one of the busiest streets in the city, which is located next to the mountains. The start will be traditionally located near the Nurlytau Business center, following which participants of the bicycle racing will head to the round-about at the crossing of the Al-Farabi Avenue and the Mustafin Street where they will go back to the crossing with the Talgar highway along the Eastern Bypass Highway. The length of one round is 31 kilometer. Totally, bicycle racers will travel for 186 kilometers spanned along six rounds.

 

Following the success of the first Tour of Almaty in 2013, Jack Watson, a consultant of the International Cycling Union (UCI) in his letter to Mayor of Almaty city named the Tour of Almaty the safest and well managed group race of the second category. He also indicated that Brian Cookson, the UCI President, totally agreed with him on this topic.

In 2014, the International Cycling Union (UCI) approved the request of the Kazakhstan Cycling Federation to increase the race category to 1.1, which, according to the rules of the UCI, enables the top division professional teams to take part in it.