Azerbaijan, Baku / Тrend corr E. Huseynli / The cyclists following ' Silken Way' route have entered Azerbaijan's territory. The participants of the tournament, which was opened in Istanbul, Turkey on 4 August, left Georgia behind.
According to the manager of the project, Shani Hill, the cyclists will get familiar with the ancient cities of the ' Silken Way's countries. Some 53 expeditions and 44 cyclists from 11 European and Asian countries are participating in the cycle race. The tournament will last 108 days.
The cyclists have passed Azerbaijan's Sheki town located 320km north-west of Baku. The expedition has plans to stay 19 days in Baku. Afterwards they will continue the race on a ferry. Their next stop will be in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Within the framework of the expedition the cyclists will pass Takla-Makan desert ( 3,600 metres of height), and onwards will pass Tadlyk gate in Kazakhstan and will stop in Hinjat province ( China). The cycle race is planned to be completed in Beijing on 18 November.