Handüzü Plateau hosts 10th International Bicycle Festival

The 10th International Yeşilay Handüzü Bicycle Festival was held at the Handüzü Plateau in the Güneysu district of Rize. The event featured the Rize MTB Cup, attracting approximately 100 athletes from six different countries.

Competitors faced challenging natural conditions, including heavy fog, mud, and wet terrain, while navigating a specially prepared 3.5-kilometer course. Races were held across four categories: senior men, senior women, junior men, and junior women.

Rize Governor İhsan Selim Baydaş highlighted the festival's significance, noting its multi-faceted nature and its role in promoting cycling to all ages, particularly youth. The event also included a public tour and a lottery where five bicycles were awarded to local participants. Athlete Zeynep Bayram noted the difficulty of the race due to low visibility and muddy ground but praised the surrounding environment.