A team of cyclists from the Minsk European Games Organising Committee (MEGOC) took part last weekend, 15-16 September, in a friendly international bike ride from the Belarusian city of Grodno to the Lithuanian town of Druskininkai.

The 42-kilometre ride was dedicated to the 2^nd European Games, scheduled for 21-30 June 2019 in Minsk, and coincided with celebrations of the 890-year anniversary of Grodno.

As a symbol of unity between nations and generations, the participants unfurled a 25-metre flag featuring the logo of the 2^nd European Games in the Grodno central sports complex during the opening ceremony. The bike ride provided a great opportunity to promote Europe’s premier multi-sport event outside Minsk and Belarus.

In addition to the Bright Team from MEGOC, participants featured also employees of public institutions and private companies. Competitions were held in several age groups for men and women. The fastest among the 126 cyclists covered the path in 1 hour and 4 minutes, and all participants who finished the ride received commemorative medals.

The bike ride was organised to strengthen the already friendly ties between Belarus and Lithuania, to encourage the development of business partnerships between the countries, as well as to promote a healthy and fit lifestyle.

Road cycling is part of Minsk 2019 sports programme, with 226 cyclists competing in 4 disciplines. At the inaugural European Games in Baku, two Belarusian cyclists Vasily Kirienko and Elena Omelusik won gold medals.