The World’s only intercontinental cycling stage race from Europe to Asia “The Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey”, (Cumhurbaşkanlığı Bisiklet Turu) the TUR, which has been organized by Turkish Cycling Federation under the auspices of the President of Turkish Republic is preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary in April 2014. The competition which was begun to be held in 1965 with the name of Marmara Cycling Tour for the first time, has taken the name of “Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey” in 1967. After having gained an international status in 2006 for the first time, Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey took place in 2.1 category in 2008. It has been upgraded to 2.HC (Hors Class) in the calendar of International Cycling Union (UCI) in 2010 and achieved to be included among the World’s most prestigious cycling stage races.
The TUR has been broadcasted Live on national and international prestigious sport channels in HD quality through shootings from air and land featuring over 20 different languages across the world since 2009. It has not only been a show case of cycling sport and high level competition but also has been attracting attention as one of the important sports organizations that is contributing to the touristic representation of Turkey. The Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey with a half century history has brought momentum to the cycling sport in terms of athlete development, recreational bicycle use and increasing audience attraction towards cycling within the years. The TUR which serves as a model in terms of Turkey’s experience in organizing international sports events has already rolled up its sleeves in order to be included in UCI World Tour calendar in the years ahead.
With its dynamic structure, the race includes different touristic regions to its route every year, and high level cycling competition among World renowned teams and athletes has been accompanied by coasts of Mediterranean and Aegean seas surrounded by natural beauties, and our cultural and historical legacy. 8-day Turquoise journey has been crowned by magnificent finish in Istanbul since 2012.
For more information: www.tourofturkey.org
