Four Austrian cyclists, Andreas Sachs, Walter Zelenka, Michael Strasser and Robert Lang, are covering 10000 km across Russia nonstop, taking turns every one and a half hours. The RARU 2013 project aims not only at a world record, but also at bringing cultures closer and strengthening mutual understanding between Russia and Austria. In Irkutsk region, the athletes got a pleasant surprise, young cyclists from Priangarye joined them and rode part of the route with them.
During the race, 4 cyclists from Austria — Andreas Sachs, Walter Zelenka, Michael Strasser, and Robert Lang — are constantly on the move, taking turns every 1.5 hours. To do this, the Austrians were divided into 2 teams, each being on the road for 12 hours. Only under such conditions is it possible to hold the race in nonstop mode.The main goal of this race is to cover a distance of 10,000 km on a racing bicycle across Russia, thereby setting a world record. The organizers of the RARU-2013 project also list among the race’s tasks and goals the bringing together of cultures, mutual understanding between the peoples of Russia and Austria, and cooperation between representatives of sports and business. This sports and humanitarian project is supported by the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, the Trade Department of the Austrian Embassy, and a number of organizations.
In addition to the 4 Austrian racers, the team is accompanied by a group of 16 people, including a professional massage therapist, the team cook, a mechanic, and Russian-speaking race coordinators. The support team travels across Russia in 5 SUVs.
Upon arriving in the Irkutsk region, the racers were in for a pleasant surprise: near the city of Angarsk, they were met by a group of young cyclists from the Irkutsk region. They rode with the Austrians for a certain stretch of the route near Angarsk.
Based on materials from the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of the Irkutsk Region