Writer: Yavuz İşçen
October 2007

Mountain bikes and mountain bike races, that we first met in early 80s, appear as a developing sport in the world. In our country, mountain bike races are quite new with a history about 10 years. In Turkey, the first international mountain bike race was organized in Alanya, in 1997. Following this organization, international races are organized in 2000, in Ürgüp, Cappadocia.
European Mountain Bike Championship, organized between July 12 and 15, 2007 in Göreme, has an important place in mountain bike history of Turkey. This organization, in which all European countries participated with their best sportsmen, was also important because it was a year before the Olympics and it provided points for the Olympics eliminations. That was the first time a mountain bike organization, in this scale, was performed in Turkey.

Now it is World Cup’s turn
Turkish teams, who wanted to deserve this reliance, really did their best for arrangements. The race would go on for 4 days; but arrangements started one and a half year ago. Organization team, including over 100 volunteers, has spent great effort. Opening talks, religiously prepared route, careful and attentive work of all charged people during the races, all of these were enough to show that preparations were not needless.
The race’s contribution to promotion of Cappadocia and Turkey is undeniable. 24 press members followed the races in which 500 sportsmen joined from 23 countries. The races were shot in a helicopter and broadcasted alive on TRT channel for two days. Eurosport channel shot the last day’s races. World Cup Marathon races are in 2008. First stage of these races may be given to Turkey. Emin Müftüoğlu, head of the Turkish Cycling Federation, is working hard to bring these races to Turkey.

Pedaling in a hard route despite hot air
European Mountain Bike Championship was opened with a race in “Team Relay” category with participation of 14 teams from 14 countries. Switzerland, France and Italy shared the first three degrees, respectively. Races went on in seven more categories and they lasted with a race in individual category of 23-30 years old men, called “Elit Men”. In this race, racers took a stroll around a route of 7 km. Spanish Jose Antonio Herminda Ramos won this race. The second racer was Julien Absalon from France, and the third one was Fredrik Kessiakoff from Switzerland.

Note: This article has been published in Peribacası Cappadocia Culture and Publicity Magazine, October 2007 issue. It is under protection of the copyrights of the magazine. No part of this article may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by electronic, mechanical or other means without prior permission from the owner. www.cappadociaexplorer.com