Tour of Turkey starts in Alanya

ALANYA

mportant Pro teams such as Astana of Kazakhstan, Dutch Blanco Pro Cycling Team and Team Argos-Shimano, Russia’s Katusha, Italy’s Lampre-Media, Danish Team Saxo-Tinkoff, Belgium’s Omega Pharma-Quick Step and Lotto Belisol, and Australian Orica GreenEDGE are set to compete ,n the Tour of Turkey. Konya Torku Şeker Spor is the only Turkish team in the competition. DHA photo

The 49th edition of the Presidential Tour of Cycling, or Tour of Turkey, starts with the opening round in Alanya on April 21. 

The tour starts with the opening round in Alanya and will span the country’s Mediterranean and Aegean coasts before the eighth and final stage in Istanbul on April 28. During the 48th edition of the tour, the route was reversed to make an Istanbul finish. 

The opening stage of “Turquoise Competition” will have riders start from Alanya, then reach Gazipaşa before returning to Alanya to kick off the tour in the Antalya district. Next week, the tour will reach up through the western shores and after reaching İzmir on April 27, and the tour will be wrapped up with the eighth stage in Istanbul. 

Second climb stage

However, the decisive round of the tour will be the sixth stage, according to the race director, Abdurrahman Açıkalın. 

This year’s major change is the addition of a second climb stage, which will take place on the Bodrum-Selçuk route, which includes a passage near the house of the Virgin Mary. 

“Previously, the sprinters were dominating the race, but this year, the sixth stage will be where the tour will be won,” Açıkalın said. “That will be a change in script.” 

A total of 25 teams from three categories, Pro teams, Pro Continental teams and a Continental team, will compete in the Tour of Turkey, 

Tough rivals

Important Pro teams such as Astana of Kazakhstan, Dutch Blanco Pro Cycling Team and Team Argos-Shimano, Russia’s Katusha, Italy’s Lampre-Media, Danish Team Saxo-Tinkoff, Belgium’s Omega Pharma-Quick Step and Lotto Belisol, and Australian Orica GreenEDGE will compete in the event alongside 15 Pro Continental teams and a Continental team, Konya Torku Şeker Spor, the only Turkish team in the competition. 

Last year, Konya Torku Şeker Spor rider Ivailo Gabrovski won the tour, but the Bulgarian was stripped off his title after testing positive for EPO. 

Later, Kazakh cyclist Alexsandr Dyachenko, who originally finished as a runner-up, was awarded the tour victory.