Today we would like to talk about a remarkable person, international class sports master Yuri Denisov, who has brought fame to our country in many road and track races.
- Indeed, at present, many people have become interested in cycling, but unfortunately, it is still happening at an amateur level, as the guys ride on their own, without coaches. I find it interesting to observe what is happening in cycling; I come to competitions and always take to the start line. You know, I haven't trained for many years, but looking at all the current races, I decided to resume training. Recently, I was even a step away from a medal and finished fourth; now I plan to improve my result and definitely reach the podium. For us veterans, such competitions are a real holiday, as all our teammates come, we communicate, and take photos. When we raced back then, there were far fewer people; previously, about sixty athletes participated, but now there are about a hundred. However, all these participants are amateurs; only we are professionals, some over sixty, and some over seventy, - says Yuri Denisov.
- They say you literally grew up on the track...
- Once, where the "Dynamo" velodrome is now, there was a garden, and we planted potatoes there; I wasn't even in school yet, and the sports complex was being built before my eyes. As soon as it was completed, I came to practice shooting in the shooting range, and then in 1965, I switched to cycling. At that time, twenty guys came to training, but I was the only one who stayed. When we first saw the track, we were very surprised by this facility and couldn't even understand how to ride here. It was very interesting. Then I saw my coach and his friends; at that time, I had no connection to cycling and was eager to try my hand at this sport. Of course, back then, the velodrome looked completely different; there were stands and curbs, and life was bustling here, with about 200 people coming to training. All the current veterans trained here. My first trips outside the republic took place in 1968, and in 1970 I became a Master of Sports of the USSR in road cycling. I traveled all over the Soviet Union, won international competitions, and was a prize-winner in All-Union starts; I was also the champion of the armed forces and won the republic championship forty times. I competed for "Dynamo" and the armed forces; my coach was Yuri Zhulyabin, who still meets with us today. Indeed, I grew up on the track, and perhaps that is why I came here since it is so close to my home. And even now, we gather here with our veterans, visiting the director of the "Dynamo" sports base, Lyubov Magomedova.
- They say that an athlete who competes on the track can easily handle the road course?
- I am a Master of Sports of the USSR in road cycling and an international class Master of Sports in track cycling. Indeed, the disciplines are similar, but if you have speed capabilities, it is better to compete on the track. Those who ride slower should focus on road cycling. Speaking of cycling since the days of the Soviet Union, only one athlete, Evgeny Vakker, remains. The youth are growing up, but for now, they are amateurs; they buy their own gear, train, and travel at their own expense.
- The cycling development fund has managed to revive road races; do you think competitions will ever be held here, on the track?
- Quite possibly. But it is necessary for coaches to work here. To restart the track, it would only take a few hours. It needs to be swept, cleaned, and curbs installed; only the posts remain from them. Once, championships of the Union and USSR Cups were held here, there were many competitions, but recently it has fallen into disrepair. Even when I left the sport, I watched the races that took place on the velodrome; the last starts here were held 35 years ago, during the All-Union competitions organized by the "Dynamo" Council. I would like to note that there are many coaches in our country, and they would be happy to work; there is just no demand yet.
- They say you have been in the sport longer than anyone else from the "golden" generation of veterans?
- Indeed, it has turned out that among my peers, I have stayed in the sport the longest. Many finished their careers in 1980, while I did so in 1982. But I didn't completely leave the sport; I constantly maintained my form and competed in the USSR championships, RSFSR among veterans, and participated in various cycling marathons. But the most memorable was the "Grand Prix of Yerevan" race, where six countries participated, and my friend Vladimir Kalko and I won a prize.
- What do our veterans do in retirement? And are there other athletes in your family?
- I am engaged in beekeeping. My apiary has already moved home for the winter, but I take it out to Serafimovka, the mountainous Maevka, and Issyk-Ata. I also repair bicycles and help the guys. After all, any professional cyclist is a good bike mechanic. My brother also came to cycling but then quit; my son is interested in football and still plays mini-football; he used to play for Kant's "Abdysh-Ata".
- Do you ride a bicycle around the city?
- Very rarely, as there is now a very large number of cars here. Exhaust fumes are very harmful, and moving in such traffic is difficult.
- What does cycling give a person?
- It was my favorite job, and I was paid for it; then I became a soldier. Cycling fosters a strong spirit; you know, even in the army, it wasn't so hard for me; all the physical loads were not so difficult for me. Therefore, cycling has given me a lot in life, including the fact that at 62 years old, I am in excellent shape!
We can only wish health and good luck to our celebrated veterans, and to Yuri Denisov, we would like to wish gold medals in the upcoming competitions!
