This year’s Presidential Cycling Tour is expected to be the greatest yet, since what started out as a little regional race 60 years ago has grown into one of Turkey’s largest international sporting events.
The tour’s transformation from a local circuit to a world-class spectacle will be highlighted by the 165 riders from 23 professional teams participating in its 60th iteration, which is scheduled for April 27–May 4, according to Emin Müftüoğlu, president of the Türkiye Cycling Federation.
“In its early days, it was just the Marmara Tour with domestic teams,” Müftüoğlu told Anadolu Agency (AA). “Now, it’s a global competition where professional teams from across the world line up – it’s more than a race, it’s a cultural engine spreading the cycling spirit across the country.”
The tour, which is sponsored by the Turkish Presidency and is held every year, has been instrumental in promoting cycling as a national sport. In addition to encouraging healthier lifestyles, Müftüoğlu pointed out that it also encourages grassroots sports participation throughout Turkey.
From biking through city streets in 2015 to presenting awards at Sultanahmet and just starting this year’s tour, he attributed the sport’s ascent to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. We are so grateful to him. “He has played a pivotal role in the expansion of this sport,” Müftüoğlu stated.
The approval of the construction of a new velodrome, which was needed for a long time after the old Konya Velodrome was demolished, was one of Erdoğan’s most important accomplishments. Just 18 months ago, Turkish cyclists won silver and bronze at the European Championships, demonstrating the success of the new track.
Bicycle boom in Turkey
Dr. Osman Aşkın Bak, the Minister of Youth and Sports, is also largely responsible for Turkey’s bicycle boom. Müftüoğlu went on. “Under his direction, we’ve made incredible strides—increasing accessibility, promoting widespread involvement, and integrating cycling into daily life.”
The Presidential Tour, which is well-known throughout the world, was crowned the best-organized cycling tour in the world in 2015 and momentarily joined the esteemed UCI World Tour. “In international cycling circles at the time, nobody discussed Turkey,” Müftüoğlu remarked. They can’t stop now. That exposure is invaluable for the country as much as for the sport.
Source Daily Sabah
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