61st Tour of Türkiye starts Sunday: 161 cyclists on Turkish Riviera

The Aegean port city of Izmir sets the stage for the opening ceremonies as the Tour of Türkiye returns for its 61st installment. Beginning in the resort town of Çeşme, the peloton will traverse diverse terrain over eight stages, covering 1,133 kilometers before reaching the finish line in the capital city on May 3. This year’s roster features 161 professional riders representing 23 teams across three competitive tiers, including three World Tour outfits.

Route through paradise

Competitors will pedal through some of the Republic’s most breathtaking coastal scenery during the eight-day stage race. The itinerary winds through the historic provinces of Aydın and Muğla before turning toward the Mediterranean jewel of Antalya, encompassing challenging mountain ascents, sprint-friendly flat sections, and dramatic seaside vistas. The final stage transitions from coastal beauty to the inland capital of Ankara, offering a fitting conclusion to the transcontinental journey that showcases Türkiye’s geographical diversity.

Global recognition and coverage

As the sole ProSeries event on the UCI Europe Tour hosted by Türkiye, the race commands significant international attention and underscores the nation’s organizational capabilities. Broadcasting agreements with Eurosport and TRT Spor ensure live coverage reaches audiences worldwide, promoting both the sport and the country’s tourism potential. The 2024 champion, Wout Poels of XDS Astana Team, returns to defend his title against a field that includes emerging talents and seasoned veterans from six continents.

The jerseys at stake

Classification leaders will don distinctive colored jerseys throughout the competition, each representing a different discipline within the general classification. The coveted turquoise garment identifies the overall race leader based on cumulative time, while the green jersey honors the most consistent sprinter. A white jersey recognizes leaders in the "Beauties of Türkiye" sprint primes, and the red jersey designates the King of the Mountains, awarded to the premier climber who dominates the race’s most demanding ascents.

Legacy of Excellence

First organized in 1963 as the Marmara Tour, the race gained presidential patronage three years later and has since evolved into cycling’s only intercontinental stage race. Following its 2008 upgrade to UCI 2.1 status and subsequent promotions through the Hors Category and World Tour levels, the event now holds its prestigious ProSeries classification. Cycling legends such as Germany’s André Greipel and Britain’s Mark Cavendish have etched their names into the record books here, each claiming 11 stage victories during their respective careers, cementing the tour’s status among the sport’s most prestigious competitions.