The main cycling race of the year starts in May

From May 16 to September 12, the League of Heroes, with the support of the Russian Cycling Federation and the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation, will hold a multi-day cycling race "Russia" in eight regions of the country. The launch is timed to coincide with the upcoming anniversary of the famous Golden Ring of Russia tourist route and is aimed at popularizing domestic tourism. More than 30,000 participants will travel more than 500 km from ancient Kostroma to Vorobyovy Gory in Moscow, accompanied by festivals, gastronomy and living history.

"For the entire League of Heroes team, this launch is one of the most exciting sporting events of this year. This is not only a great sporting event, but also a tribute to the great history of our country. The cities of the Golden Ring are unique due to the multitude of preserved monuments of ancient Russian architecture, history and culture, therefore, holding a bike race will allow us to show the originality of our country as extensively as possible. I am sure this will be one of the most picturesque cycling events in the world, with its own unique style, and we are glad that more than 32,000 cycling enthusiasts are ready to walk this path with us," said Ksenia Shoigu, head of the League of Heroes.

The event will take place once or twice a month on a weekend in eight different regions. The bike race starts in Kostroma and runs through Vladimir, Suzdal, Yaroslavl, Ivanovo, Kalyazin, Nizhny Novgorod and Sergiev Posad. The final stage will be held on September 12 in Moscow on Vorobyovy Gory. In total, the participants will have to travel more than 500 km. In each city, the bike race will be accompanied by large-scale street festivities with performances by local ethnographic groups, folk art fairs and tasting of local dishes.

The first stage in Kostroma will take place on May 16. It will take place along the ancient merchant's road between Nerekhta and the village of Rudino and will be accompanied by a large—scale cycling festival along the central streets of Kostroma, a running tour along the historical route and a gastrofest on the central square of the city.

The winners and prize-winners will be determined at all stages and in the overall standings among men and women. For other cycling enthusiasts, a cycling festival will be held in each of the cities — a large-scale cycling tour of the most iconic sights. Anyone can take part in the cycling festival, regardless of their professional training. To do this, it will only be enough to pre-register on the website. Mobile technical assistance, bike rental and a maintenance tent in the fan zone will be available at each stage.