President of the International Cycling Union (UCI) David Lapparten paid an official visit to Astana. Within the framework of the visit, David Lapparten met with the Minister of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan Arystanbek Mukhamediyuly and the President of the Kazakhstan Cycling Federation Darhan Kaletaev. During the meeting, the main directions of cooperation of the International Cycling Union with the Kazakhstan Federation of Cycling, as well as cycling development plans in the world and in Asia in particular, were discussed.
Recall that David Lapparten was elected head of the UCI last month. With 37 votes out of 45, he replaced the current president of UCI Brian Cookson. One of the priorities in the Lapparten program is to strengthen cooperation with the national federations and provide them with the maximum support in the development of cycling.
David Lappartin, sharing his plans for world cycling, notes the need for some reforms in the World Tour, namely in the calendar and in the role of organizers of races and team leaders. The new president of UCI appreciates the prospects for cycling in the Asian continent: "In Asia, most of the world's population lives, which deserves special attention from the UCI."
Regarding the further cooperation of UCI with the Kazakhstan Federation of cycling, David Lappartin notes: "Kazakhstan is the leader of the Asian continent and one of the leaders of world cycling. Kazakhstan is the first country from Asia to represent the cycling team in the World Tour and a very successful cycling team that won 8 Grand Tours over the past 10 years. I would very much like to see Astana Pro Team continue to flourish and rejoice not only with Kazakhstan's fans, but also with fans from all over the world. I am glad that, being a young country, Kazakhstan successfully continues the traditionally proven cycling traditions of past years and introduces its innovations in the history of Kazakhstan cycling. For the period of independence, cycling in Kazakhstan has reached a whole new level. "
During the visit, the head of the UCI appreciated the Republican cycle track "Saryarka": "UCI is interested in holding international competitions in Kazakhstan. Also, Kazakhstan, being between Europe and Asia, can become an excellent platform for holding international conferences and congresses. I am pleasantly surprised by the scale of the Kazakhstan cycling track - here at least tomorrow it is possible to host the World Cup. The UCI is ready to return to this issue after 2020, as the hosts of the world championships until 2020 have already been distributed. "
David Lappartin also mentioned the international professional cycling tour "Tour of Almaty", which this year acquired the status of a multi-day: "Tour of Almaty" is the only cycling race in Central Asia that has already proved itself from the positive side. UCI is interested in ensuring that this race firmly takes its place in the world calendar, as the landscape, climate and relief of this region makes it very interesting. "
Visit to Kazakhstan David Lapparten made as part of his first working trip as president of UCI, which included a visit to the championship of the countries of the Caribbean and China, where the solemn closing of the season of the 2017 World Tour took place.

Source: cycling.kz