Look back at L’Étape Türkiye by Tour de France
More than 2,000 passionate riders gathered at sunrise, their wheels ready to echo the spirit of the Tour de France. At 8:00 a.m., the peloton rolled out from the Beykoz Sports Complex—one of Europe’s largest sports forests—transforming the heart of Istanbul into a stage worthy of the world’s greatest cycling stories.
Once again, L’Étape Türkiye painted the city yellow, with 2,015 riders taking the start, a powerful symbol of how deeply the Tour de France spirit resonates beyond France’s borders.
On the long course, Gökhan Uzuntaş claimed victory in the men’s race with 02:56:58, while Gökçe Demirsoy conquered the women’s category in 03:14:34. In the short course, Murat Uslu sprinted to the men’s win in 01:23:21, and Sevcan Alper Özcan powered to victory in the women’s race with 01:35:25.
A Legendary Journey from Asia to Europe
From the Beykoz Spor Ormanı, the peloton launched into a journey that was more than a race, it was an adventure in the purest Tour de France tradition. The 105 km long course and 52 km short course challenged riders with winding climbs, breathtaking views, and roaring crowds, bringing the mythic energy of the Alps and Pyrenees to Istanbul.
As the only cycling event in the world to cross from Asia to Europe, L’Étape Türkiye offered its riders their very own iconic moment on the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, a symbolic crossing that united continents through pedal power. The route continued through Polonezköy, Riva, Kılıçlı, and Paşamandıra, blending wild landscapes, historic roads, and unforgettable racing emotion.
Champions Crowned in Iconic Jerseys
In true Tour de France fashion, the podium ceremony celebrated heroes in yellow, green, and polka dots, a moment of triumph worthy of the world’s greatest cycling stage.
- Yellow Jersey (Overall Leader): Gökhan Uzuntaş
- Green Jersey (Best Sprinter): Şevket Özer
- Polka Dot Jersey (King of the Mountain): Anton Hrabovskyi
In the women’s competition:
- Yellow & Green Jerseys: Gökçe Demirsoy
- Polka Dot Jersey: Şeniz Pamuk
The White Jersey (Best Young Rider), symbolizing the future of cycling, went to Ayşe Gürer (women) and Berat Aslan (men).
Looking Ahead to 2026
The adventure doesn’t end here. L’Étape Türkiye by Tour de France will return in the second half of 2026 in Istanbul, bringing back the unforgettable energy of the Bosphorus. The official date will be announced in the coming days.
In addition, the L’Étape family is growing with the arrival of L’Étape Marmaris, offering riders a completely different side of Türkiye,where the mountains meet the sea, and breathtaking coastal roads meet untouched nature. With its stunning landscapes, sunny beaches, and challenging climbs, Marmaris promises to be an unmissable new stop on the global L’Étape calendar.
