Turkish cyclist’s Tour performance inspires nation’s youth

Konya BBSK Cycling Team rider Ramazan Yılmaz is capturing the attention of Türkiye’s young athletes after a historic performance in the opening stage of the Tour of Türkiye, finishing fourth and becoming the first Turkish cyclist to place in the top five of any stage in recent years.

A milestone for Turkish cycling

The last time a Turkish rider achieved such a result was in 2018, when Ahmet Örken placed fifth in Marmaris. Speaking to Anadolu, Yılmaz expressed pride in his performance but noted he had aimed even higher. “In such a professional 2.2 Pro Series race, with WorldTour teams competing, we saw that we had a chance to achieve a podium finish. That’s what we’re fighting for,” he said. He added that competing alongside elite international athletes while flying the Turkish flag is a tremendous source of pride.

Excitement builds for Ankara finale

The 21-year-old rider acknowledged the physical demands of the sport, particularly for sprinters. “Let’s just say we sprinters are a bit ‘heavier.’ We’ll try to push the time limit from the back, working hard for our climbers,” he explained. After a hiatus, this year’s Tour returns to the capital Ankara on May 3. “Ankara is our capital city. We’re aiming for the podium there. It’s a suitable course for us,” Yılmaz said.

A world-class event on Turkish roads

The Tour of Türkiye is the country’s only UCI ProSeries event, featuring 161 cyclists from 27 nations racing 1,133 kilometers from Çeşme, İzmir, to Ankara. The route passes through Mediterranean and Aegean coastal cities including Aydın, Muğla, and Antalya. Yılmaz praised the organization and noted that track cycling and road racing complement each other, helping riders develop different skills.