Օn September 5, a solemn ceremony took place near Swan Lake to unveil the official mascot of the "Tour of Armenia" international cycling race-the roe deer-marking the historic arrival of this prestigious tournament in Armenia.
In the coming days, the roe deer mascot will serve as a prominent symbol in the capital, reminding residents and guests of the upcoming major sporting event.
The ceremony was attended by Zhanna Andreasyan, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia; Ara Sadoyan, President of the Armenian Cycling Federation; Khoren Zargaryan, CEO of the Sports Management Center; Michele Napoli, CEO of RCS Sports and Events DMCC; as well as sports enthusiasts and guests. Members of the national team representing Armenia in the tournament also participated in the event.
Olympic cycling champion Samuel Sánchez serves as the official ambassador of the race.
Welcoming the attendees, ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan emphasized that hosting the "Tour of Armenia" is a landmark event for Armenia's sporting landscape.
"Major professional cycling is coming to Armenia," said the Minister, highlighting that for the first time in history, Armenia is preparing to host a Class 2.2 race registered on the official international calendar of the International Cycling Union (UCI).
Zhanna Andreasyan wished success to the Armenian athletes, expressing confidence that fans will have numerous occasions to celebrate their accomplishments during the competition.
Why was the roe deer chosen as the symbol of the "Tour of Armenia"? Frequently inhabiting the mountains of Armenia, the roe deer embodies the core qualities essential in competitive cycling: speed, power, endurance, and the agility to navigate challenging terrains rapidly.
From September 10 to 13, professional cyclists from Armenia and around the world will push their limits across the stages of the "Tour of Armenia," combining these very traits in pursuit of victory.
The "Tour of Armenia" is a UCI Europe Tour Class 2.2 international multi-stage professional road cycling race taking place from September 10 to 13. The race features 4 stages, spanning a total distance of 587 km with an elevation gain of 5,300 meters.