Türkiye, May 2025: The Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye (TUR 2025) is bringing the thrilling excitement of professional cycling to the global stage. The 60th edition of the tour is taking place on Türkiye’s scenic routes from April 27 to May 4, drawing top professional teams and athletes from around the world.
The prestigious event, held with the excitement of its 60th anniversary by the Turkish Cycling Federation under the patronage of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye and with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), began in Antalya on April 27 and will conclude in İzmir on May 4. The eight-day, eight-stage tour is hosting teams from the US, Germany, Belgium, China, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Norway, Poland, and Türkiye. The rosters include some of the most powerful names in the cycling world and promising young athletes. Riders are racing through Türkiye’s historic and touristic routes throughout the tour, promoting the country’s cultural and natural riches.
A Journey Through Türkiye’s Rich Heritage
The race is not only testing the cyclists’ endurance as one of the world’s significant sports organisations. Garnering worldwide attention with its live broadcasts in 190 countries across five continents and in 13 languages, it is also highlighting Türkiye’s cultural and natural riches as well as its cycling tourism offerings. The tour’s route is delivering a captivating journey through Türkiye’s most iconic and hidden gems. Each stage is showcasing the country’s diverse landscapes to the international audience, passing through fragrant orange, lemon, and tangerine groves, roads scented with linden and thyme, and breathtaking landscapes framed by pine, olive, and mastic trees. Besides, local Turkish delicacies, such as tea, coffee, simit (bagel), and cultural icons like the evil eye beads, are being brought to global screens.
The tour, starting from the heart of the Turkish Riviera, Antalya, is following a route through Kemer, Kalkan, Fethiye, Marmaris, Akyaka, Aydın, Kuşadası, Selçuk, and Çeşme, before concluding in the Aegean pearl, İzmir. The first stage in Antalya (132 km) offers a journey through the city’s historical landmarks, such as Kaleiçi streets, Hadrian Gate, and Yivli Minaret, as well as the ancient city of Silyon and Belek.
The next stage between Kemer and Kalkan (167.4 km) takes cyclists through Patara Beach, the legendary flames of Yanartaş, the Lycian gem of Myra, Finike, Demre, Kaş, and the iconic Kaputaş Beach. The Fethiye-Marmaris stage (175.9 km) offers a feast for the eyes with the magic of Butterfly Valley, Ölüdeniz, the endangered Caretta Caretta turtles, and the Dalyan Delta.
The fourth stage between Marmaris and Akyaka (115.4 km) showcases sea-view forest roads, sailing routes, and kite-surfing beaches in the background. The Marmaris-Aydın leg (151 km) shines with the ancient Afrodisias site and the Aegean’s iconic olive groves. The Kuşadası-Selçuk stage (161.4 km) includes the UNESCO site of Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis, and the House of the Virgin Mary before the Selçuk-Çeşme route (144.2 km), which highlights Şirince village, Seferihisar, and Çeşme. The finale, the Çeşme-İzmir stage (105.7 km), wraps up with the İzmir Clock Tower, local flavours, ancient sites, and the famous vineyards of the region.
As one of the races categorised under “ProSeries” on the International Cycling Union’s (UCI) European Tours calendar, the Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye is also emphasising Türkiye’s prominent role in global cycling. It is showcasing the country’s bicycle opportunities, encompassing more than just routes, and bicycle-friendly accommodation facilities that offer a comfortable stay with many amenities, such as safe parking, bike cleaning, and repair services.
