The Cycling Federation of the Kyrgyz Republic has announced that the national team of Kyrgyzstan will participate in the 45th Asian Championship, which will take place from February 4 to 13 in Saudi Arabia.
This year, the Kyrgyz team will be the largest in the history of its participation in such competitions — it includes 16 athletes. The country's cyclists will compete in junior, under-23, elite, and masters categories, as well as for the first time in para-cycling.
In the men's junior category, the competition will feature Kirill Safronov (individual and group races), Shakhrukh Matkarimov, Ularbek Sakitaev, and Artur Tyutyunnik (group race). The women's junior team will be represented by Sofia Babunova and Angelina Blindul, who will also participate in individual and group races.
Among the athletes in the under-23 age category will be Muhammad Ali Matkarimov, who will take part in individual and group races. Artyom Shapilov will represent Kyrgyzstan in the elite category.
In the masters categories, the country will be represented by five athletes: Alexander Dyadichkin and Evgeny Russo (35–39 years), Vladimir Lasenko (40–44 years), Vadim Kozlov (51–55 years), and Igor Filin (60+). All of them will also participate in individual and group races.
Kyrgyzstan's debut in para-cycling will be a significant event. For the first time, Kyrgyz athletes will compete in category B (tandem) among athletes with visual impairments according to UCI rules. Two pairs will compete in this event: Jalalidin Abduvaliev and Alexander Dyadichkin, as well as Zhyrgalbek uulu Zhyldyzbek with Kirill Safronov. Additionally, in the wheelchair category, the country will be represented by Askar Turdugulov (category H1).
The Asian Championship in Saudi Arabia will be an important milestone in the international season, providing Kyrgyz cyclists with the opportunity to compete for high positions, ranking points, and to strengthen the country's image on the continental stage.
