Synergy Baku to open racing season this weekend

/By Azernews/

By Amina Nazarli

The Synergy Baku Cycling Project is opening its 2016 racing season this weekend with two races. The team will take on the GP Izola in Slovenia on February 28, with its Under-23 riders opening with the Coppa San Geo in Italy on February 27.

The third edition of the GP Izola (1.2), with start and finish in Izola, Slovenia, runs 156.5km and contains a number of climbs.

Maksym Averin, who finished fifth in the race in 2015, will go for the expected mass sprint finish. He will be supported by Elchin Asadov, Matej Mugerli, and Samir Jabrayilov, as well as team newcomers Josip Rumac and Matija Kvasina.

The younger riders will open the season at the Coppa San Geo. Synergy Baku will be represented by an all-Azerbaijani team, with Samir Jabrayilov, Elgun Alizada, Enver Asanov, Ismail Iliasov, and Kanan Gahramanli, who is making his team debut.

“The events this weekend mark the start of our 2016 season,” said team manager David McQuaid. “We are starting this season at a much slower pace, as it will be a long year with many of the season’s goals coming towards the end. But nevertheless the riders are very motivated after a long winter.”

“With the pressure of the Olympic qualification process behind us now, we can shift our focus somewhat and for 2016 the focus is twofold, that of the development of our Under 23 riders, so you will see a lot of specific Under 23 events on our calendar, and second, the results of the elite team. For 2016 we probably have the strongest elite riders that we have ever had, so hopefully the boys can kick some ass this season and throw their hands in the air in a victory celebration on multiple occasions.”

Synergy Baku Cycling Project for GP Izola will include Elchin Asadov, Maksym Averin, Samir Jabrayilov, Matija Kvasina, Matej Mugerli, and Josip Rumac.

Elgun Alizada, Enver Asanov, Ismail Iliasov, Samir Jabrayilov and Kanan Gahramanli will compete in Coppa San Geo.