Throughout the training process, athletes and delegation members willingly shared their impressions of the organisation of the camp. The guests unanimously praised the excellent conditions created to prepare for upcoming competitions, as well as the hospitality and warm welcome extended by the host side. Vladimir Gusev, a coach at the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club, shared his expert views and plans for the future:
— With many years of extensive experience in cycling behind me, I am always genuinely happy to return to Turkmenistan. This is already my fifth visit to the country. I first came to Turkmenistan in 2010, when, as a member of the professional team Katusha, we held a pre-season training camp here.
My love for cycling began when I was just two years old, and at the age of ten I started practising the sport professionally. My main mentor and guide into the world of high-level racing was Master of Sport Alexey Sidnev. I am now 44 years old, and cycling remains the work and passion of my entire life. During my long career, I have competed on prestigious cycling courses in the Russian Federation, Switzerland, Italy, Germany and Belgium and achieved strong results at major competitions.
Today, with a wealth of accumulated knowledge and experience, I am developing my career as a coach and striving to nurture a new generation of talented cyclists. This time, we brought promising young athletes aged between 14 and 25 to Turkmenistan. Each of them is unique in their own way, hardworking and focused on achieving results.
It is a great honour for us to conduct intensive training at such a modern and high-tech sporting facility. Excellent conditions have been created here for athletes, from the quality of the track surfaces to well-planned logistics and medical support. That is why this training camp has become one of the most important stages of our preparation. I am confident that the foundation laid here will enable the team to reach peak form for the major international competitions.
We sincerely thank the organisers for their tremendous work and warm hospitality. Further strengthening and deepening bilateral ties in promoting cycling will undoubtedly become a valued and lasting tradition for us. We look forward to our next visit to the warm and hospitable country of Turkmenistan.
The joint training process contributed to the professional development of the athletes, while also strengthening friendly, cultural and diplomatic ties between the two countries and becoming an important milestone in the development of bilateral international cooperation.
Prepared by Selim RASULOV,
journalist
