Konya, the 2026 European Cycling Capital, was represented at the protocol ceremony of the third edition of Visa Maximiles Black L’Étape Türkiye by Tour de France 2026, held in Istanbul, with officials from Konya Metropolitan Municipality in attendance.
The event featured three separate categories: a 97.6-kilometer long course, a 41.3-kilometer short course and a 31.4-kilometer intercontinental experience course. Large numbers of cycling enthusiasts took to the roads on routes passing through some of Istanbul’s most prominent landmarks.
The races were started by Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak, Istanbul Deputy Governor Esengül Korkmaz Çiçekli, Ümraniye Mayor İsmet Yıldırım, Vice President of the Turkish Cycling Federation Fikret Hayali and L’Étape Türkiye by Tour de France General Director Ömer Kafkas.
KONYA METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY ALSO TOOK PART IN THE EVENT
Konya, which holds the title of 2026 European Cycling Capital, was also represented at the protocol of the international event. Konya Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Ahmet Murat Koru and Head of the Department of Operations and Affiliates Abdurrahim Sönmezler attended the races in person.
Following the races, awards were presented to the athletes who placed in the competition during the award ceremony.
“WE ARE THE CITY WITH TURKEY’S LONGEST CYCLING NETWORK”
Commenting on the event, Konya Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Ahmet Murat Koru conveyed greetings from Uğur İbrahim Altay, President of the Union of Municipalities of the World and Mayor of Konya Metropolitan Municipality, as well as COP31 Special Envoy for Cities and Local Governments.
Highlighting Konya’s title as the 2026 European Cycling Capital, Koru said, “We are together at a wonderful event. We are the city with Turkey’s longest cycling network. We also believe that Turkey’s hosting of COP31 in Antalya in 2026 makes the third edition of L’Étape Türkiye by Tour de France particularly meaningful. On this occasion, I congratulate all the athletes who took part in the event.”
CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHIES SPECIALLY PRODUCED IN KONYA
Meanwhile, the championship trophies for L’Étape Türkiye by Tour de France 2026 were specially designed and produced for the event by Konya, the European Cycling Capital.
The trophies, which were taken from Konya to Istanbul and raised aloft by the champion cyclists, became a meaningful symbol of both the ancient Seljuk civilization and Konya’s cycling culture.
