2013 SU Update: Kazan welcomes Capitals of Russia Cycle Race Participants

KAZAN – The Capitals of Russia Cycle Race was solemnly launched at theUniversiadeVillage on June 4th. TheKazan stage of the cycle race, that kicked off inSaint Petersburg, is dedicated to the forthcoming 2013 Summer Universiade inKazan.

The Capitals of Russia Cycle Race, that set off inSaint Petersburgon May 24th, brought together athletes and cycling enthusiasts from all over the country. Every year the cycle race participants cover the traditional route: Saint Petersburg-Veliky Novgorod-Tver-Vladimir-Nizhny Novgorod-Yoshkar-Ola-Kazan.

But inKazanthe Capitals of Russia Cycle Race was held under the motto ‘Towards the Universiade’ and took the form of a mass bike parade. Taking its start at theUniversiadeVillage, the race proceeded toMillennium Square, further alongLevo-Bulachnaya streettoYarmarochnaya Squareand Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure, where cycle race participants were treated to an extreme sports show, cross country events, bike trials, figure cycling and even a cycle wedding.

It is remarkable that todayKazanis a true centre of attraction for cycling enthusiasts. The host city of the 27th Summer Universiade was visited by German cyclists recently. Cycling enthusiasts and adventure-seekers fromGermanyconfessed that while building their route for the traditional European Berlin-Beijing Cycle Race, they came across Internet reviews aboutKazanand decided to see it with their own eyes. «Kazan’s architecture reminds ofConstantinople, but due to its modern buildings and dynamic life it resembles most European cities. We fell in love withKazan, and will definitely visit it next year. We’ll try to stay longer here, so that to see how different your city will become in a year», the Berlin-Beijing cycle race participants said.

(Source: Media Department of Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate)