Uzbekistan is set to make its mark on the international cycling stage as athletes from the country gear up for the first stage of the Cycling World Championships scheduled in Adelaide from January 12 to 21, the National Information Agency of Uzbekistan reported. The spotlight will be on the Uzbekistan women's national team, who will be competing in the prestigious Santos Tour Down Under Women’s World Tour, marking the initial stage of the 2024 World Cup.
Taking place from January 12 to 14, the women's championships will witness fierce competition among athletes from 16 clubs. Notable cyclists representing Uzbekistan include Olga Zabelinskaya, Yanina Kuskova, Madina Kakhorova, Margarita Misyurina, Sofia Karimova, and Nafosat Qoziyeva, all vying for victory.
The championship will unfold over three stages, with the cyclists covering varying distances. The first day will see them racing over a distance of 93.9 km, followed by 104.2 km on the second day and 93.4 km on the third day.
The Santos Tour Down Under holds a special place in the cycling world, being the first stop for the world's best cycling teams and riders. Established in 1999, it stands as the largest cycling race in the southern hemisphere. Over the course of 10 days, male and female UCI WorldTour professional cycling teams gather to compete on the streets of Adelaide and regional South Australia each January.
In 2008, the Santos Tour Down Under made history by becoming the first race outside of Europe to receive prestigious UCI WorldTour status, attracting elite teams from around the world. The women's race, introduced in 2016, earned UCI 2.2 status until 2018. Notably, it became the first cycling event globally to offer equal prize money for women and men when upgraded to UCI 2.1 status. In 2023, the women's race achieved UCI WorldTour status, further elevating its status in the international cycling calendar.
The Santos Tour Down Under has hosted some of the most illustrious names in road cycling, including Tour de France winners Oscar Pereiro, Andy Schleck, Alberto Contador, and Carlos Sastre. Australian legends like Simon Gerrans, Stuart O’Grady, Robbie McEwen, Cadel Evans, Richie Porte, and Allan Davis have also graced the event with their presence.
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