Gjorgi Beqiri was one of the 3 riders in Macedonia's 'silver generation', together with Dragi Stavrevski and Nedzmedin Savevski. Beqiri was the first to stop riding professionally.
After a few seasons meandering the semi-professional circuit, Gjorgi was approached by KrMees to lead the Macedonia-based Velosipedska. He didn't hesitate to grasp a last chance to ride for a national team as a pro. From day 1, Gjorgi was involved with this team, scouting talented youngsters and leading the squad in the first races. Despite joining us as a 32-year-old, he was instrumental to the development of the team for 4 seasons. Let's look back at his time at Velosipedska.
Season 52 was Gjorgi's personal best season. At Luesia, he took his first and only victory as a pro. In La Calle Real de Salento and Arrecife - Femés, Gjorgi finished on the podium. In these S52 races, Beqiri took his only ste...
Read moreGjorgi Beqiri was one of the 3 riders in Macedonia's 'silver generation', together with Dragi Stavrevski and Nedzmedin Savevski. Beqiri was the first to stop riding professionally.
After a few seasons meandering the semi-professional circuit, Gjorgi was approached by KrMees to lead the Macedonia-based Velosipedska. He didn't hesitate to grasp a last chance to ride for a national team as a pro. From day 1, Gjorgi was involved with this team, scouting talented youngsters and leading the squad in the first races. Despite joining us as a 32-year-old, he was instrumental to the development of the team for 4 seasons. Let's look back at his time at Velosipedska.
Season 52 was Gjorgi's personal best season. At Luesia, he took his first and only victory as a pro. In La Calle Real de Salento and Arrecife - Femés, Gjorgi finished on the podium. In these S52 races, Beqiri took his only steps on the podium, since he slotted into a supporting role in later seasons. Gjorgi supported Riste Nikolovski during his training in S52, and after that Riste would be Velosipedska's main man in climbing races. Riste took 2 second places in his debut season, but the team's highlight of the season was his YC victory at the Odyssey of the Oryx. A prize for young riders, but oldtimer Beqiri carried Riste to several summits.
In S53, Riste had a tough start, but in Keelung - Wulai Falls, Gjorgi guided the youngster to a podium spot. In this years edition of the Odyssey of the Oryx, Gjorgi had a free role following Riste's ill-timed injury. Gjorgi still proved his worth, helping sprinter Metodija Aksentiev take an unexpected stage, the first tour stage Velosipedska ever won.
The success continued in S54. Gjorgi was involved when Vladimir Gavalovski repeated Metodija's surprise stage win by winning the opening stage of the Odyssey of the Oryx as well. Riste joined the tour in good health this season, and took 5th overall, two 2d places and two top-9's. Gjorgi captained the team in their best Oryx ever. Gjorgi was also instrumental in helping Riste grow as a rider and as a person. Riste won the Oryx YC, but never actually finished first in a race. With Gjorgi in support, Riste won The Kirkjubøur Race on day 68 of this season.
In his retirement season - S55 - Gjorgi was one of the few people who had a say in deciding the future of the team. Many team members were opposed to selling the sprint team, but Gjorgi spoke a lot with the riders, who accepted the benefits of splitting the team. Gjorgi started joining the team car on a couple of occasions, but still raced as road captain, guiding Riste to victories at Altdorf - Ems and Salida Climbs. Another special occasion was Atacama Ascension, where a young Jovan Georgievski took his first ever pro victory.
Gjorgi joined us on the bike for the last time on the opening day of S56, and his retirement race could not have been more special. Protegé and friend Riste Nikolovski won the Jebel Hafeet Challenge, celebrating Beqiri's career and starting the season in a special way.
A few numbers to round up Gjorgi's career at Velosipedska:
Gjorgi raced 105 races for Velosipedska, a team record at the time.
1 victory.
2 podium places.
3 top-9 finishes.
94 points.
30k in prize money.
With Gjorgi as a teammate, team leaders have gained 285,500k in prize money for the team.
Gjorgi raised 12k in activities off the bike.
Gjorgi is still involved in Macedonian cycling. He's officially a trainer for Velosipedska, but he also helps out with scouting young riders and promoting Velosipedska.
Macedonia