THE 56th PRESIDENTIAL CYCLING TOUR OF TURKEY IS FINALIZED

MARK CAVENDISH FROM QUICK STEP TEAM TAKES A WIN IN 160.3 KM OF BODRUM-KUSADASI STAGE RUN UNDER THE SPONSORSHIP OF SALCANO

MANUEL DIAZ GALLEGO FROM DELKO TEAM BECOMES 2021 CHAMPION OF THE 56th PRESIDENTIAL CYCLING TOUR OF TURKEY 

THE SPANISH RIDER HAVING CLAIMED THE INDIVIDUAL GENERAL CLASSIFICATION SAID, “I AM LEAVING A GREAT COUNTRY AS A CHAMPION. I WILL JUST ENJOY IT TO THE FULLEST NOW.” 

PRESIDENT OF THE TURKISH CYCLING FEDERATION EROL KÜÇÜKBAKIRCI SAID, “WE FINALIZED OUR TOUR WITH A SPLENDID ORGANIZATION AND BREATH-TAKING FINISHES DESPITE THE PANDEMIC” 

KÜÇÜKBAKIRCI THANKED THE MAIN SPONSOR TURKISH AIRLINES AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS AND CORPORATIONS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE TOUR

CEO EVENT VICE GENERAL MANAGER ÖMER FARUK BESLİ SAID ON BEHALF OF THE ORGANIZATION, “I REALLY ENJOYED THE TOUR AND LOVED TO WORK FOR IT”

ROLAND HOFER, THE DIRECTOR OF THE TOUR SAID, 

“WE FINALIZED A FLAWLESS TOUR. TURKEY IS REALLY GOOD AT THESE ORGANIZATIONS”

Mark Cavendish from Quick Step Team took a win in 160.3 km of Bodrum-Kuşadası stage in 3 hours 24 minutes 38 seconds on the last day of the 56th Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey. Cavendish claimed his 11th win in Turkey. So, He caught up with his eternal rival Andre Greipel who was also in the race. Jose Manuel Diaz Gallego from Delko Team became 2021 champion of the 56th Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey. The Spanish rider who had also claimed Individual General Classification championship in his Turquois Jersey in Kemer - Elmalı (Göğübeli) climb made the best of this advantage and enjoyed a happy ending. At the end of the race of 8 stages with an overall length of 1249 km, Gallego gained a victory with a record of 29 hours 19 minutes and 40 seconds.

A BREATH-TAKING STAGE ​

141 riders started the stage at 10.45 which was to see the Individual General Classification champion. Eyes turned to Jose Manuel Diaz Gallego from Delko Team who had taken on the Turqoise Jersey. Gallego, having started the race as the Individual General Classification leader, opened a gap of 4 seconds and 48 seconds respectively with the second and tenth rider, which raised hopes on the side of his rivals racing for championship. So, Delko Team had to respond to each and every attack and make a great deal of effort to protect its rider. 

LIGHT WIND, OVERCAST WEATHER AND DESERT HEAT  

Yesterday’s harsh wind gave way to a slight breeze during the course of the stage, but the overcast weather and desert heat carried the riders to yet another atmosphere. Each attack brought forward more exhaustion and tiredness, while Gallego cast his eyes on the break teams.  

FINETTO TO CLAIM THE SPRINT PRIME

The first sprint premium of Bodrum-Kuşadası stage was taken at 24.4 km. Mauro Finetto from Delko Team won the premium, while Jetse Bol from Burgos-BH team and Jasper Philipsen from Alpecin team respectively came through second and third. 

ZAKARIA TOOK THE MOUNTAIN PRIME

Climb premium of the stage was taken at 42.8 km. It was Hakim Akmal Zakaria who claimed the climb premium. Danilo Celano from the same team and Mirco Maestri from Bardiani Team came through second and third respectively.  

CELANO TOOK THE SECOND MOUNTAIN PRIME 

The last premium of the stage was taken at 141.3 km. Danilo Celano from Sapura Team was the one to claim it. Javier Romo Oliver from Astana and Aritz Bagües Kalparsoro from Caja Rural followed him.

THE HEAT IS ON

Riders increased the tempo 11 km before Kuşadası. The peloton managed to reach the finish without a split. Riders who claimed the premiums joined in the peloton and eyes turned to the finish line. 

SPANISH RIDER HAVING CLAIMED INDIVIDUAL GENERAL CLASSIFICATION SAID, “WHAT A SWEET CHAMPIONSHIP” 

The Spanish Jose Manuel Diaz Gallego from Delko team who won 2021 championship (GC) in the 56th Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey said, “I am leaving a great country as a champion. I will enjoy it to the fullest.” Gallego added the following regarding the organization and the tour of 8 stages, “Mountain stage was really difficult. I was good to go when I won the general individual classification there. Yet the tour had so many strong sprinters and difficult climbs that the last 3 stages were not really easier at all. Now that I got the GC championship, I have to aim for new targets.” 

PRESIDENT OF THE TURKISH CYCLING FEDERATION EROL KÜÇÜKBAKIRCI SAID, “WE HAD 8 SPECIAL DAYS WITH 25 TEAMS AND GREAT RIDERS” 
KÜÇÜKBAKIRCI ESPECIALLY THANKED SPONSORS

The President of the Turkish Cycling Federation Erol Küçükbakırcı made statements regarding the 56th Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey. “We spent great 8 days despite the pandemic without any serious setbacks. We started the race without any problems upon our quick operation in response to the unexpected winter conditions in Cappadocia and we finalized the tour in Kuşadası. We are also proud to see that foreign delegations were content with the organization. See you next year.” Küçükbakırcı then took the occasion to especially thank the sponsors, starting with the main sponsor Turkish Airlines.  
“Spor Toto, Salcano, Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, Turk Telekom, Shimano, Kipeo, TSYD, Turkey Municipalities Union, IGA Pass, Radyo-D, D Smart supported us throughout the Tour and contributed to the organization. I also own my debt of gratitude to foreign media which made a great effort to broadcast the Tour to the world; as well as newspapers, magazines, social media and TV broadcasts and local media which took part in the promotion of the Tour in our country.”

FULL MARKS TO THE ORGANISATION 

Ömer Faruk Besli, the Vice General Manager of CEO Event which has undertaken the organization of the Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey for the last five years, evaluated the tour. “We passed through different climates from Cappadocia to Kuşadası. For the last two months, we have been reviewing all the details of this Tour. We were constantly in charge of every single detail from striking the camp to pitching the tents, from accreditation to transformation and accommodations. I thank my team and every single person who contributed to this organization for their efforts. I hope we will take over the organization of the Tour also next year and we get the chance to proudly undertake such a joyful task.” Besli remarked that there were three physicians to take care of any Covid-related cases and said, “We took all hygiene precautions. We haven’t, in general, witnessed any serious cases despite few sicknesses. I thank all our health care professionals for their great efforts.” 

ROLAND HOFER, RACE DIRECTOR SAID, “TURKEY IS REALLY GOOD AT THESE ORGANIZATIONS” 

Roland Hofer, Race Director of the 56th Presidential Cycling Tour of said, “I really love Turkey and Turkish people. I try to learn as much Turkish words as possible whenever I have the occasion. This is whole another country. You also bring value to the Tour with a great organization. Hotels where we accommodate, the organization, the race and the hospitality all result in a great job, just as the Olympic Rings. I have worked so much in Turkey that I leave the country with a different and novel feeling each time.”