I have limited time: is Ashgabat worth a visit or...

[Knight of the Holy Graal]

Cheers!

I'm at planning stage of my trip to Samarkand of July 2011.
I have only 30 days of holiday from work, so this is my time-window that I have to ride from Italy to Uzbekistan and back, it's the maximum I could obtain from my boss at work.
I must carefully plan my trip in order not to exceed this time limit (I got one week more than the usual 3-week closing period of our Company "as a gift" from him, so I really need to be home not later than the 30th day).

Given this, I need a suggestion / an opinion from whoever's been to Turkmenistan.
I mean to ride from Mashad (Iran) to Ashgabat (TM) leaving Mashad at dawn in order to be in Ashgabat around noon after carrying out the (long) immigration procedures for me and my Harley.
In this case, I'd have that afternoon to visit Ashgabat and leave the following morning direction Mary, visit the ruins of ancient Merv and be in Turkmenabat before the sunset.
Do you think this is possible to do or am I too optimist?

Or would it be better to avoid Ashgabat and ride from Mashad north-eastbound directly to Mary, Merv and Turkmenabat saving one day, in this case?

I really don't know if to kill this time in Ashgabat because I came to know that the Arch of Neutrality with the rotating golden statue of Nyazov has been removed and I don't think there's so much to see in that city, except for large marble buildings...

Thanks for your suggestions, that will be much appreciated!