CYCLING Preview: New champ coming for 55th Presidential Tour of Turkey

One of the geographically important events on the UCI World Tour, the Presidential Tour of Turkey gives some balance to the Western Europe-heavy circuit and is hardly an afterthought, having been first organized back in 1963.

This year’s race is back in its usual Spring timeframe, after being moved to October for the past two seasons. The stages:

Stage 1 (156.7 km): 16 April ~ Istanbul to Tekirdag (hilly)
Stage 2 (183.3 km): 17 April ~ Tekirdag to Eceabat (hilly)
Stage 3 (122.6 km): 18 April ~ Çanakkale to Edremit (mountains)
Stage 4 (194.3 km): 19 April ~ Balikesir to Bursa (hilly)
Stage 5 (164.1 km): 20 April ~ Bursa to Kartepe (mountains)
Stage 6 (172.4 km): 21 April ~ Sakarya to Istanbul (hilly)

None of the prior winners are returning for 2019, but there are six returning riders who have won stages at the event:

● 7: Sam Martin (IRL) in 2017 and 2018
● 7: Mark Cavendish (GBR) in 2014 and 2015
● 3: Maximiliano Richeze (ARG) in 2008 and 2018
● 2: Mauro Finetto (ITA) in 2009
● 1: Alvaro Jose Hodeg (COL) in 2018
● 1: Mark Renshaw (AUS) in 2012

Another likely contender for top honor is Caleb Ewan (AUS), the silver medalist in January’s Great Ocean Road Race. Look for results here.