The first participant of the The Sun trip international project Raf Van Hulle arrived in the capital of Kazakhstan today, July 23, 2013.

The cycling race “The Sun trip: on the way to Astana EXPO-2017” started on June 15, 2013, from the city of Savoy (France). All competitors chose their route to the final destination - the capital of Kazakhstan – on their own. During the ride the competitors stopped in the cities of Venice, Sofia, Bucharest, Odessa, Istanbul, Sochi, Baku, Atyrau and Aktobe.

A participant from Belgium Raf Van Hulle representing the “Solar Wind” team was the first to finish, after mastering a tough road with his “sunshine” bike in 38 days, covering more than seven thousand kilometers. The conqueror of mountain peaks, international autobahns and steppe plains said: “Kazakhstan is a very interesting country! Many people in Europe can’t even imagine what Kazakhstan with its boundless steppe is like! That’s why I decided to go and see everything with my own eyes and get these impressions!”.

The winner of the race was welcomed by the representatives of the French Embassy in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Astana EXPO-2017 National Company JSC. The founder of The Sun Trip Florian Bailly also came to Astana to congratulate the leader of the race. Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of France in Kazakhstan Jean-Charles Berthonnet said: The event organised during the Year of France in Kazakhstan landmarks the creation of a link between our two countries, which give great value to the development of alternative energy. The Embassy of France warmly congratulates the first participant of this remarkable adventure and wishes good luck to those who are still in the race!”.

The second participant expected to arrive in the capital already tomorrow is the French racer Georges Moita. The rest of the racers will be arriving during the next two weeks. Then a mass bike ride with The Sun Trip participants is planned to be held in Astana.