Antalya: Tibor Del Grosso, a Dutch cyclist, celebrated his first professional victory by winning stage 2 of the 60th Presidential Cycling Tour of Trkiye on Monday. He described the win in Trkiye as particularly thrilling, stating, "it makes the moment even more special."

According to Anadolu Agency, the 21-year-old rider from the Alpecin-Deceuninck team expressed his surprise and delight at overcoming strong competition in the sprint finish. "There were definitely some strong sprinters, and I also didn't feel that confident going into the sprint, so yeah, it was really cool to beat them," he remarked after his victory in Antalya.

Del Grosso noted that the upcoming stage three might present a more technical challenge, which aligns with his riding style. He commented on the favorable weather conditions but remained cautious about the potential for rain in the coming days. "The next few days may bring a bit of rain. I hear it gets quite slippery here when it rains, so we'll see about that," he said.

The cyclist also appreciated the warm reception from the locals and expressed his fondness for Turkish baklava. Observing the local support, he said, "I see quite a few people on the side of the road, all the kids coming out."

The race, which started in 1963 as the Marmara Tour and gained international recognition in 1965, has evolved into a prestigious event under the Turkish Presidency. This year's edition began in Antalya on April 27, covering 1,153 kilometers across eight stages, with the finale set in Izmir on May 4. The event, showcasing Trkiye's scenic beauty and cycling culture, features 160 cyclists from 23 teams across 13 countries and three continents, broadcasted live on Eurosport and TRT Spor.