Antalya: The 60th Presidential Cycling Tour of Trkiye, recognized as the country’s only Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) ProSeries race, is set to kick off this Sunday in the picturesque resort city of Antalya and will conclude on May 4 in Izmir.

According to Anadolu Agency, the race, which originally started as the Marmara Tour in 1963, achieved international status under the Turkish presidency in 1965, playing a significant role in the development of cycling in Trkiye. This year’s edition will feature eight stages, covering a total distance of 1,153 kilometers (716 miles).

A robust lineup of 161 cyclists from 23 teams representing 13 countries across three continents will compete in the event. The peloton will comprise three WorldTour teams, 13 professional continental teams, and seven continental teams. Notably, three Turkish teams, namely Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Sports Club, Spor Toto, and Konya Metropolitan Municipality Sports Club, will also be participating in the race.