From Konya to Istanbul, the dozens of pedalling stars participating in and the millions of fans turning their eyes to the 54th Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey will enjoy some of the most spectacular, historic and touristic venues of the country along 935.9 kilometres.
The event will start inland on October 9th, then head to the blue Mediterranean shores where riders will fight for the coveted turquoise jersey before a final stage in Istanbul on the 14th. These six stages will offer hard racing at the UCI World Tour level and showcase the iconic beauties of Turkey on a global scale with TV broadcasting around the World.
The first stage around Konya, home of the Mevlevi Order, will already feature lumpy roads en route to the finish at Alaeddin Hill, a tumulus where initial settlement dates back to 3000 BC and where champions will fight for the prizes of the 54th Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey.
The following stages, set on the Mediterranean coast from Alanya to Antalya and Fethiye to Marmaris, will offer breathtaking views on the Sea and iconic historic venues along the caravan routes. They should also offer good memories to Sam Bennett, on roads where he claimed success in 2017.
Riders will then head to Selçuk, as they did last year, and they’re expected to produce a fierce battle next to Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In 2017, Diego Ulissi made the most of this summit finish en route to the overall victory in the Presidential Tour of Turkey. This day is anticipated as the queen stage.
Stage 5 will head to Manisa and the Aegean region, favouring a bunch gallop before the iconic finish in Istanbul on Sunday. The final stage will see the riders above and under the sea, through the Osmangazi Bridge (the World’s fourth longest suspension bridge) and the Eurasia Tunnel (100 metres under the Bosphorus) before a final showdown close to the Blue Mosque, the symbol of the city with its six minarets.
Ø The stages of the 54th Presidential Tour of Turkey
Stage 1: Konya-Konya (148.4km)
Stage 2: Alanya-Antalya (149.6km)
Stage 3: Fethiye-Marmaris (132.7km)
Stage 4: Marmaris-Selçuk (205.5km)
Stage 5: Selçuk-Manisa (135.7km)
Stage 6: Bursa-İstanbul (164km)
