Cycling: The Tour d'Azerbaijan last week provided an exciting look behind the scenes of the country and the Synergy Baku team. This has set itself the task of promoting young talents from the country and thus helping cycling in Azerbaijan to get going. No wonder, then, that the home tour is of great importance, especially for the Azeris.
We accompanied the team for a week. Here is the detailed photo report that takes you on an exciting journey through a country that will gradually earn its place on the cycling world map.
#1 A press conference was on the team's schedule before the race, with manager David McQuaid (right) setting the route.
#2 At the start of the first stage, the team was finally presented to the fans in Baku.
#3 The first leg took the field north through the desert to Sumgayit.
#4 The stage was characterized by strong gusts of wind that almost neutralized the race. The result: the field tore into several groups on the edge.
#5 A victim of the wind. Markus Eibegger had a defect at the wrong time and lost valuable time as a result.
#6 Maksym Averin was luckier. He was able to stay in the leading group and finished fourth at the start.
#7 The home straight in Sumgayit was lined with numerous spectators.
#8 He too was omnipresent. The founder of the state, Haydar Aliyev, who died in 2003.
#9 Elderly viewers in Sumyagit.
#10 Spectator in Sumyagit.
#11 After the race is before the race. Freshen up quickly before heading back to the hotel.
#12 Elchin Asadov and Samir Jabrayilov, two of the strongest Azeris in the field, on their way to the hotel.
#13 The second stage also initially led the field through the desert.
#14 Barren landscape as far as the eye can see.
#15 In the finale of the stage things got more colorful – with the snow-capped peaks of the Caucasus in the background.
#16 spectators in Ishmayili.
#17 spectators in Ishmayili.
#18 spectators in Ishmayili.
#19 Irish Champion Matt Brammeier registering for stage three.
#20 It got more rural until after Sheki.
#21 Mainly children lined the street.
#22 From Sheki the route led to Quabala, the historical center of the country.
#23 You can see that in Azerbaijan too – market stalls right on the street.
#24 the fourth stage should be tough, with a mountain finish in the hors category. Good preparation was everything.
#25 Elchin Asadov forced the first attack.
#26 Markus Eibegger rode a strong stage and crossed the finish line with the favourites.
#27 The Azerbaijani champion Samir Jabrayilov also drove a strong race. At just 19, he is one of the country's great talents.
#28 Serving the team: Matt Brammeier.
#29 At the latest when you see this, you know that the stage was tough.
#30 The Tour d'Azerbaijan was not an easy race. Due to the hot temperatures, a lot had to be drunk.
#31 spectators at the finish in Pirqulu.
#32 Ukraine's Aleksandr Surutkovych was the team's best driver overall.
#33 Jack of all trades. Team Soigneur Marina fed the drivers on the way.
#34 He made sure the wheels ran true: mechanic Alan Dumic.
#35 Before the final stage, it was important to pay attention to the food supply again. 200 kilometers around Baku were on the plan.
#36 Jeremy Hunt rode for big teams like Banesto, Cervélo and Sky during his active career. Now he is passing on his knowledge to the team's drivers as Sport Director.
#37 Samir Jabrayilov made it into the group of the day on the last day.
#38 For this he was honored in Baku as the best Azeri of the tour on the podium.
#39 The tour had it all: Elchin Asadov at the finish.
#40 Still a little nervous at the start of the tour, the podium girls blossomed more and more.
#41 The classification winners of the tour.