The men's continental road team of the Minsk Cycling Club opened the competitive program of 2022 season with Grand Prix Megasaray cycling race, which took place in Turkey on January 30.
The first start of the season brought together an impressive company of more than a hundred riders representing 18 teams from ten countries (including two ProTeams). Four teams from Belarus entered Grand Prix Megasaray: Minsk Cycling Club and BelAZ continental teams, as well as club teams of Viva Rovar and Velobike.
Minsk Cycling Club put up the following line-up for the race: Yauheni Karaliok, Yauhen Sobal, Vasili Strokau, Vasili Bialiauski, Mikhail Shemetau.
The distance was not too long - 126.6 km, but this did not affect the intensity of the struggle. Everyone was eager to prove oneself at the first start of the season.
One of Minsk Cycling Club leaders, Yauheni Karaliok, risked to break away. The advantage of those who broke away at times reached 3:40, but the peloton, led by experienced teams from Italy and Norway, managed to establish a pursuit and close the gap 10 km before the finish line.
It all ended in a massive sprint, for which Minsk Cycling Club finisher no longer had the strength.
All Minsk Cycling Club riders finished in the group: Strokau (24), Sobal (26), Karaliok (36), Shemetau (37), Bialiauski (80).
The best of the Belarusians that day was Dzianis Marchuk, the rider of U team of Minsk Cycling Club, who competed for Viva Rova club team and took the 12th place.
