ISTANBUL

The Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye is celebrating a major milestone this year as it kicks off its 60th edition, marking the start of a new decade and a fresh chapter in the event's storied history.

Speaking to Anadolu, Vladimiros Petsas, events coordinator at the European Cycling Union and race director of the tour, emphasized the significance of reaching 60 editions.

He said not many races around the world have achieved this, noting that while classics like the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France are older, the Tour of Türkiye’s longevity reflects strong dedication and resilience.

"It is particularly important because it marks the beginning of a new decade, symbolizing a fresh start and continued growth for the event," said Petsas.

He praised the strength of the 2025 lineup, which features top riders from WorldTour, ProTour, and Continental levels, promising "a thrilling race" for cycling fans.

Previous editions of the tour saw top-tier riders such as Mark Cavendish and Jasper Philipsen.

Petsas also expressed his appreciation for the warm reception from the Turkish public.

He said he felt like being among friends who share the same passion in Türkiye, reflecting on his many years of involvement with the tour.

"I have been coming to Türkiye for many years, although I don't even remember exactly how long. We are always working to deliver the best organization possible for Türkiye," he said.

He noted the strong ties between Türkiye and his native Greece, calling the two countries “relatives, neighbors, and partners.”

From Marmara Tour to international prestige

The event, originally launched as the Marmara Tour in 1963, gained international status in 1965 and later came under the auspices of the Turkish Presidency, growing into one of the region’s most prestigious races.

Starting from Antalya on April 27, cyclists will cover 1,153 kilometers over eight stages, passing through renowned Turkish tourism hotspots such as Kemer, Kalkan, Fethiye, Marmaris, Akyaka, Aydin, Kusadasi, Selcuk, and Cesme, before concluding the race in Izmir on May 4.

The 2025 edition will see 161 cyclists from 23 teams across 13 countries and three continents competing. The race will be broadcast live internationally on Eurosport and domestically on TRT Spor, helping to showcase Türkiye's beauty and cycling culture to a global audience.