L'Etape Türkiye by Tour de France 2026 concluded with races held in Istanbul. Cyclists competed on three different courses in the event, which started and finished at Ümraniye National Garden.
The race featured a 97.6-kilometer long course, a 41.3-kilometer short course and a 31.4-kilometer course prepared for an intercontinental experience. Nearly 2,000 athletes from 40 countries took part in the event.
Officials gave the starting signal
Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak, Istanbul Deputy Governor Esengül Korkmaz Çiçekli, Ümraniye Mayor İsmet Yıldırım, Turkish Cycling Federation Vice President Fikret Hayali and L'Etape Türkiye by Tour de France General Director Ömer Kafkas gave the starting signal for the races.
Osman Aşkın Bak said the event would include a race between two continents and wished the cyclists success on Istanbul's roads and in its forests. Bak said cycling was part of life, that sports investments were continuing in Türkiye and that work was being carried out in the field of sports tourism.
Chris Froome also took part in the race
Chris Froome, a four-time Tour de France winner and Škoda's cycling brand ambassador, also rode his bicycle in Istanbul ahead of the event. After crossing between Asia and Europe by bicycle for the first time via the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, Froome joined the athletes.
Froome said it was his first visit to Istanbul and that he was pleased with the atmosphere in the city and the attention shown to the cyclists. Froome said he wanted to continue exploring different places with Škoda and remain involved in the cycling industry.
Yüce Oto Škoda General Manager Zafer Başar said the event was important for bringing cycling to young people and everyone who feels young. Başar said they were proud that Türkiye was being represented abroad through the event and that they supported the development of cycling infrastructure and the wider participation in sports, particularly among young people.
Boyraz and Demirsoy won the long course
Ömer Cumhur Boyraz won the men's long-course category with a time of 2 hours, 35 minutes and 31 seconds. Martin Stefanov finished second in 2 hours, 35 minutes and 32 seconds, while Peter Dashev took third place with the same time.
Gökçe Demirsoy won the women's long-course category with a time of 2 hours, 57 minutes and 3 seconds. Züleyha Dikbaş finished second in 3 hours, 1 minute and 33 seconds, while Şeniz Pamuk came third in 3 hours, 2 minutes and 56 seconds.
Ünalan and Yüce won the men's and women's short courses
Recep Ünalan won the men's short-course category with a time of 1 hour, 3 minutes and 9 seconds. Cengiz Güner and Murat Uslu finished the race with the same time, taking second and third place, respectively.
Aylin Yüce won the women's short-course category with a time of 1 hour, 7 minutes and 34 seconds. Zale Karakaş finished second in 1 hour, 16 minutes and 10 seconds, while Özger Sınar took third place in 1 hour, 17 minutes and 46 seconds.
The athletes who placed in the race received their awards at a ceremony held afterward.
