Aidar Zakarin fastest at "0-2000 Challenge" on the Island of Cyprus

For the 12th consecutive year, the cycling Uphill race "0-2000 Challenge" took place over the weekend of June 1-2, offering unique cycling moments. The race was organized by Activate Cyprus as part of the 16th Troodos Sports Festival, with the participation of over 170 athletes

Aidar Zakarin fastest at 0-2000 Challenge on the Island of Cyprus

Racing from sea level and climbing to the highest point of the Island of Cyprus is always a challenge as well a unique experience. The route covers some of the most scenic roads on Cyprus. The warm and dry weather next to the Limassol sea on Saturday was soon replaced by the chill breaze of the forest in Pera Pedi and Moniatis 18km before the finish at the highest peak of Troodos Mountain range, the Olympus!

Aidar Zakarin finished first in the general classification of the two-day race for the second consecutive year. With a total time of 2:50:47, he was just a few seconds behind his time from the "0-2000 Challenge" in 2023. It is noteworthy that the cyclist from the INEX Team had earlier in the year also achieved a back-to-back win at the Cyprus Gran Fondo.

Aidar Zakarin finished first in the general classification

Second, also for the second consecutive year, was Alexandros Matsangos from Bikin Cyprus with a time of 2:55:16, ten seconds slower than his performance last year. The third spot on the podium was taken by Kirill Kolenchits from TeamVertigo with a time of 2:58:00.

In the women's category, the first place went to Alexandra Zafeiri from Stavrovouni Kornos Cycling Club, with a time of 3:31:27. She was joined on the podium by Ekaterina Kovalchuk (3:47:57) and last year's "0-1000" race winner Natalia Parfenteva (4:00:04). The second-place winner is an athlete from Agios Mnason Team, while the third is from the INEX Team.

In the women's category, the first place went to Alexandra Zafeiri from Stavrovouni Kornos Cycling Club

They Took the Lead on Saturday

For the men’s category, the top three—Aidar Zakarin, Alexandros Matsangos, and Kirill Kolenchits—gained a lead from the first day's race, having finished the 73.8 km route from Limassol's Molos to Cyprus' highest peak, Olympus, at almost 2000 meters of altitude. Zakarin reached the finish line after 1:48:42, followed by Matsangos four minutes later (1:52:46), with Kolenchits crossing the finish line nearly a minute after the Cypriot cyclist (1:53:51).

The same scenario played out in the women's category, with the top three in the overall standings gaining a lead from the major ascent. Alexandra Zafeiri finished first with 2:17:42, with Ekaterina Kovalchuk and Natalia Parfenteva arriving 22 seconds apart. The first arrived after 2:27:58, and the second at 2:28:20.

On Saturday (01/06), the "0-1000" race, which is less challenging and aimed at less experienced cyclists, also took place. The first to reach Pera Pedi, the finish line after 59.6 km, were Georgios Antoniou in the men's category (1:18:28) and Sotiriana Gavriil (1:28:56) in the women's category. Both are athletes from APOEL.

Start from Kalopanagiotis

On the second day, the race started from Kalopanagiotis, one of the most beautiful villages of the island and finishing again in Olympus peak, Aidar Zakarin took the lead by finishing first in this route as well, covering the 23.4 km in 1:02:05. Slightly behind, Bogdan Zabelinskiy (Agios Mnason) and Alexandros Matsangos crossed the finish line together with a time of 1:02:30.

With a time of 1:13:45 in the women's category, Alexandra Zafeiri also finished first on the second day, with Ekaterina Kovalchuk second again (1:19:59) and Natalia Parfenteva third (1:31:44).

Both on Saturday and Sunday, the award ceremonies took place in Troodos Square. Complete results are available at www.activatecyprus.com

The "0-2000 Challenge" race was organized by Activate Cyprus. Sponsored by Troodos Tourism Board, Kykkos mineral water, Lanitis Juices, and Atlantic Insurance, with support from the Kalopanagiotis Community, Troodos Hotel, and optcycling.ro. It is held under the auspices of the Cyprus Cycling Federation.