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Cycle race Košice-Tatry-Košice | ||||||||||
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HistorySports history of the city Košice started in 1924 when its world-known International Marathon of Peace originated. Bikers did not want to stay behind their athletic friends and so they tried to organize a race which one day would enter history. After having overcome various obstacles and numerous administrative problems they finally succeeded. One October Saturday 1928 at 06:00 a.m. 14 racers came to the start of the first stage. After almost 15 hours they reached the finish of the stage in Štrbské pleso. This was the beginning of at present one of the oldest cycling race in Europe which has had a few interruptions due to the WWII or other, mostly economic difficulties. In May 2009 cyclists from several countries will start for the 65th time at this traditional international event with one of the richest histories of this sport in Slovakia. On the route of the stage race Košice – Tatry – Košice thousands of cyclists have fought against kilometres and many times also against disgrace of the weather. Not once have personalities of Czechoslovak and Slovak cycling, i.e. Ružička, Richter, Veselý, Novák, Renner, Křivka, Laczo, Korbel, Fridrich, Holík, Čambal, Mráz, Regec, Žilovec, Broniš, Nagy, Remák, Bárta and many other briliant cyclists stood on the victory rostrum. 96 racers in total from Poland, Hungary, Czech republic, Austria, Ukraine and Slovakia – comprising top cyclists of these countries applied for the 64th race Košice – Tatry – Košice which was held from 29 May to 1 June 2008. The day before the race only 40 cyclists checked-in. Despite the previous confirmation of their participation the cyclists canceled their participation due to various reasons: Holland – 10 cyclists due to health problems, Austria – 8 cyclists due to an accident, Czech republic – 12 cyclists due to representative duties, Ukraine – 10 cyclists due to refused entry visa, Hungary – 6 cyclists without any excuse and the most regretfully – 10 cyclists from Slovakia due to representative or other reasons. In spite of this fact 80th anniversary of this singular event has been highly valued by the heads of the teams and the cyclists themselves, namely the route and the event provision and so all of them have promised to take part in the next year of the event at higher quantity and quality participation. Endeavour of the organizers in the future is to raise the level of the event and thus gain new European dimension. Mainly for these reasons the organizers are determined despite low participation this year to organize 65th year of the international cycling race at even higher level and expand this race into another state – Poland. The race will be organized on the route Košice – Hungary – Vysoké Tatry – Poland– Košice, 5 stages in total. We would like to preserve this traditional Slovak international cycling race as Slovak cultural heritage also for further generations of Slovak cyclists enabling them to meet every year and compare their performance with the competitors from other countries at the beginning of demanding season. We would also like to enlarge the co-operation of the V-4 countries in the sports field and enhance the co-operation between the towns Košice, Vysoké Tatry, Miškolc (Hungary), Poland. Their interconnection into one cycling event by the pack of cyclists from various countries has a huge symbolic meaning. This way we believe we will help Slovak cycling to get back into its post of international dimension where it has been for long years and where it belongs. This can be reached only by constant comparison with foreign competitors, in fair play of course, in really demanding stages of the race Košice – Tatry - Košice. Our zeal is to preserve this connection for the future. Not only to preserve but to bring it to the higher level of quality as well. |