A meeting with cycling veteran Valentina Kuznetsova, held in Astana at the Saryarka Republican cycling track, launched commemorative events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Kazakhstani cycling.

The events of the celebration were approved by the Presidential Administration, the Agency for Sports and Physical Culture together with the NGO "Kazakhstan Cycling Federation".

Valentina Kuznetsova (Andreiko) – Master of Sports of the USSR, honorary sports figure of the Republic of Kazakhstan, member of the USSR national team (1973-1976), member of the Kazakhstan national team (1970-1976), participant of the 1974 World Championship in Montreal (9th place), bronze and silver medalist of the USSR championships, winner of the international cycling race "Moskovsky Komsomolets" and the USSR Cup. And she is also a 72–time winner and multiple winner of the republican competitions!

The meeting with the living cycling legend was interesting not only for journalists, but also, first of all, for the athletes themselves, who were training on the bike track at that time. For young cyclists preparing to go to competitions in Moscow, the advice and guidance of Valentina Vasilyevna will be very useful.

– To win, you need to have great willpower, the desire to train hard, – she noted. – In no case should you give yourself a slack. It is necessary to lead only a healthy lifestyle, obey the coaches, follow their recommendations, and the results will definitely come. There is no need to worry before the start. Excitement is, I think, the main rival of an athlete.

The participants of the meeting looked with interest at the medals and numerous diplomas won by the veteran, and were interested in her participation in the main starts of life. For example, at the World Championships in Montreal, she was considered one of the contenders for medals. Valentina Vasilyevna sadly recalls: "Shortly before the finish line, I was in a breakaway group of six people, I could have been among the winners. But I was let down by our domestic bike of Kharkov production: when switching gears, the chain flew off. I lost time and finished only ninth..."

The famous athlete was congratulated on the festive date by the state cycling coach on the track Zhetes Suleimenov, technical director of the KFVS Alexander Antyshev and deputy director for sports work of the republican cycling track "Saryarka" Marat Bulegenov.

At the request of journalists, Valentina Vasilyevna and a group of young athletes made a lap of honor on the bike track. It turned out to be a long one. Gradually gaining momentum, she drove more than five laps. So much so that many young cyclists have seriously lagged behind her. When she completed the distance, everyone was amazed at her even breathing. An athlete – he is also a retired athlete!

Events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Kazakhstani cycling will be held until the end of 2014 in all regions of the republic.

Maksut IRZHANOV
photo by the author
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