BAKU-KHANKENDI
AZERBAIJAN CYCLING RACE

- The “Baku-Khankendi” Azerbaijan Cycling Race is a 5-day category 2.1 international cycling race dedicated to the memory of National Leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev and consisting of 5 stages;

- Although this race had a distinctive place in the calendar of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and was held very successfully between 2013 and 2017, it was suspended in subsequent years for certain reasons;

- Starting from 2025, in accordance with the instructions of the country’s leadership, necessary measures have been taken to resume the race, and the race has been reinstated in the UCI’s 2026 calendar under a new title;

- Except for the 2nd stage of the race, the routes of the other stages have been changed, and the routes of the 4th and 5th stages have been organized to pass through the territories liberated from occupation;

- The race’s approved routes for 2026 pass through 21 cities and districts of our country;

- As it is well known, international cycling races are not only a captivating sporting event watched live by tens of millions of people, as well as on Eurosport and other TV channels, but they also create exceptional opportunities to promote and introduce the regions where they are held to the world;

- In 2026, an agreement was reached with the Eurosport channel for the live broadcast of all stages of the international cycling race “Baku-Khankendi Azerbaijan Cycling Race”, as well as for additional 60-minute highlight shows aired during the peak viewing times each evening after every stage. To inform the world about the ongoing construction and development works in the territories liberated from occupation, the race’s 4th and 5th stages have been organized to pass through Sugovushan, Talish, Aghdam, Fuzuli, Khojavend, Shusha, and Khankendi. The final finish of the race will take place in the main square of Khankendi city.

- The Organizing Committee has been set up to organize the race, and the preparation works are underway in line with the approved Action Plan.