1st-stage Tour of Türkiye win shows power of teamwork, says cyclist Jasper Philipsen

By Emre Asikci

ANTALYA, Türkiye (AA) - Jasper Philipsen, the first-stage winner of the 58th Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye, said his team showcased a collective determination that propelled them forward as they kept their cool under the pressure of the track.

Speaking to Anadolu, Philipsen said the road was challenging with its sharp bends, including on the way to the finish, testing his team's resilience and skill.

"It was a slippery corner. Some cyclists crashed but I know the road is slippery here. We stayed calm together with the team and at the right moment," the Belgian sprinter said.

Expressing his pleasure at participating in the Tour of Türkiye for the third time, Philipsen emphasized the unique opportunities it provides, particularly in the realm of sprints.

"Just to finish the season in a good way. The weather is nice. Also, a lot of sprint opportunities to add some more wind."

The 25-year-old athlete stressed that the initial stage emerged as the easiest challenging stage when compared to later rounds.

"Coming rounds are going to be hard. It's never really flat. We'll see for the next few days."

Philipsen expressed joy at the opportunity to race in Türkiye's extraordinary natural settings.

"I like to be in Türkiye. It's a nice race. Like when they stay next to the coast. Most of the time we stay next to the coast. That's nice," he said.

Starting from the Alanya district of the Mediterranean resort province Antalya on Sunday and ending in Istanbul on Oct. 15, the cyclists will have traveled 1,235 kilometers (767 miles) along the Turkish Riviera by the end of the eight-day race.

The Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye, the only intercontinental bicycle tour in the world, will host four world tour teams, seven professional, 12 continental, and one national team.

The Turkish Cycling Federation has been organizing the tour, earlier known as the Marmara Tour, since 1963. It gained international status in 1965 and was taken under presidential authority in 1966.

Remaining tracks:

Stage 2: Kemer - Kalkan (166.5 km) (103 miles)

Stage 3: Fethiye - Babadag (104.1 km) (64 miles)

Stage 4: Fethiye - Marmaris (165.3 km) (102 miles)

Stage 5: Marmaris - Yalikavak (180.6 km) (111 miles)

Stage 6: Bodrum - Selcuk (193.3 km) (119 miles)

Stage 7: Selcuk - Manisa- Izmir (159.8 km) (98 miles)

Stage 8: Istanbul - Sultanahmet (130.5 km) (80 miles)