Tour D’Azerbaijan 2015 / Stage 5 – Final

Today’s stage start and finish was at the Azadlig (Freedom) Square — it is the biggest square of Baku. The area about 7 hectares. The square called “Azadlıq” (Freedom) is the first largest on the post-Soviet area. The square has often been the scene of Mass state events concerning important days of Azerbaijan history.

Also on this square is the Government House — located in the center of Baku city. Construction works of this building were completed in 1952. At present monument of historical architecture raising on the Azadliq Square consists of 10 floors. The area of the building is approximately 2 hectares. Several ministries and state agencies occupy the building offices.

At the other side of the road there is the Baku Boulevard – also known as National Park located in Baku in south coast of the Caspian Sea. All conditions for the rest of population are created here. Amusement park for children, to provide population comfort cafes and restaurants, boat tirp, to stage various events “Yacht club” raised on the waterfront, “Little Venice” small town, boating, to do sports big tennis court, fully equipped to held other sports “Boulevard club” sport center, to go shopping, entertain in indoor area, watch movies and spend leisure time a multi-story shopping mall Park Bulvar were given in the use of the people. At present time the boulevard is 14 km and 750 m in size and within next years the boulevard’s size is expected to reach 25 km.

Highlight of the city is the Old City or Inner City – it is the historical core of Baku and considered as historical masterpiece of Baku. Antiquity of Old city is going back to the date of foundation of Baku and riched with houses and historical monuments. As tower is surrounded with walls among people it’s also called Tower. This ancient settlement is the valuable heritage of Azerbaijan people. At present time it’s a complex of living estate and historical arhitecture. One of the most ancient archetectural monuments Maider Tower, The Palace of Shirvanshahs and The Mahammad mosque are located in Old City. 
Above the city we find the Flame Towers — turning into one of the modern symbols of Baku is the tallest skyscraper in Baku, Azerbaijan with a height of 190 m (620 ft). The buildings consist of apartments, a hotel and office blocks. The building is a unique example of architecture, built in the form of flame tongues. On the level with watching intriguing panorama of the city all conditions to have a rest have been created in “Flame Towers” complex.

Race Report

Baku, 10 May 2015 – Sergey Firsanov of RusVelo won the closing stage of the Tour d’Azerbaidjan, while Primoz Roglic took the overall win. Firsanov had attacked out of the peloton in the final of the difficult Old City circuit course, and maintained a slight lead until the finish along with Alexandr Shushemoin (Kazakhstan National Team), who was second. Third place went to Matej Mugerli (Synergy Baku Cycling Project), who won the sprint of the chase group.

Primoz Roglic was also in that chase group, and easily secured the overall title, having led the race since the second stage, which he won. Jasper Ockeloen (Parkhotel Valkenburg) and Mugerli took second and third overall, respectively.

The sprint title went to Marko Kump (Adria Mobil), and the final mountain jersey to Alexander Surutkovych (Synergy Baku Cycling Project). The best young rider was Frantisek Sisr (Team Dukla Praha). Maksym Averin of the Synergy Baku Cycling Project was the best Azeri rider and Adria Mobil topped the team ranking.

Once again, blue skies and warm temperatures greeted the peloton at Freedom Square in Baku. The riders were preparing to take on eight large laps of a circuit course and three laps of a smaller, difficult course through the old walled city.

A break group formed soon, with Alexander Evtushenko (RusVelo), Griffin Easter (Airgas-Safeway) and Ido Zilberstein (Cycling Academy Team). Ioannis Tamouridis (Synergy Baku Cycling Project) and later his teammate Azeri national champion Elchin Asadov gave chase while the leaders clung to their lead.

Easter took the first intermediate sprint, and Zilberstein the second and third. The trio took a six minute gap with them with four laps left. As they set off on the last lap of the larger course, another chase group which had formed was caught be the field and the gap was down to just over four minutes.

Zilberstein also took the first mountain ranking, and Evtushenko the second. Easter dropped back from the lead group, and the gap narrowed to only two minutes. A moment’s scare saw race leader Roglic crash on the cobbled streets of the Old City, but he was quickly on the bike again.

Oleg Zemlyakov of the Kazakhstan National Team put in a strong attack, but was reeled back in. His place was then taken by Sergei Firsanov (RusVelo) attacking out of the peloton. He was soon only 20 seconds behind the leaders, with the field 40 seconds behind him.

Zilberstein was alone in front as he hit the finish line for the penultmate time, but the two RusVelo riders and a reduced peloton were closing in rapidly. The escape was then quickly ended, with some 14 km left in the race.

Another break group of 10 formed, while Alexandr Shushemoin of the Kazakh team shot out to a 10 second lead. He was joined by Jasper Ockeloen (Parkhotel Valkenburg), who was second in GC and only 34 seconds down, and Firsanov, with race leader Roglic leading the chase. They took their narrow 10 second lead into the closing kilometers, and Firsanov and Shushemoin were able to maintain the slightest of leads as they hit the finish line.

Results 

Stage 5 – Baku Circuit
1. Sergey Firsanov (RusVelo), 144 km in 03h32’10”
2. Alexandr Shushemoin (National Team Kazakhstan), +’01”
3. Matej Mugerli (Synergy Baku Cycling Project), +’01”
4. Frantisek Sisr (Team Dukla Praha), +’01”
5. Chris Horner (Airgas-Safeway Cycling Team), +’01”

Final General Classification
1. Primoz Roglic (Adria Mobil), 867,2 KM in 20h14’42”
2. Jasper Ockeloen (Parkhotel Valkenburg CT), +’34”
3. Matej Mugerli (Baku Cycling Project), +’34”
4. Chris Horner (Airgas-Safeway Cycling Team), +’34”
5. Joshua Edmondson (An Post – ChainReaction), +03’49”

Final results
Blue “Synergy” (leader): Primoz Roglic (Adria Mobil)
Red “AZAL” (mountain): Oleksandr Surutkovic (Synergy Baku Cycling Project)
Green “SOCAR” (points): Marko Kump (Adria Mobil)
Magenta “Ata” (young): Frantisek Sisr (Team Dukla Praha)
Flame “AzVIF” (best Azerbaijani): Maksym Averin (Synergy Baku Cycling Project)
Best team: Synergy Baku Cycling Project

Rider Quotes

Sergey Firsanov (RusVelo, stage winner)
“It was a quite difficult stage. The last lap was decisive after a hard race. Not only the climbs were difficult but also the wind made it challenging. I regret that in the second stage I missed the last attack and before this stage I knew this was my last chance. I’m really proud that I’ve won this stage.”

Sahib Alakbarov (Head of the organizing committee and vice president of the Cycling Federation of Azerbaijan)

See more at: Tour d’Azerbaidjan

Start!!!

Congratulations to stage winners!