The fifth edition of the Tour of Istanbul begins Thursday with a 165.1-kilometer opening stage from Silivri to Çatalca, kicking off four days of international cycling across Istanbul and its surrounding districts.
The UCI Europe Tour 2.1 race, open to elite men and under-23 riders, will run through Sept. 6 under the rules of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).
The event is organized by the Turkish Cycling Federation with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Istanbul Governorship, Fatih Municipality, district municipalities, the Spor Toto Organisation Presidency, the UCI and Shimano.
The race headquarters are at the WOW Hotel Istanbul Airport, where teams completed rider confirmation and held their managers' meeting Wednesday ahead of the opening stage.
Four stages, four different challenges
The race features three road stages before concluding with a short individual time trial in Beykoz.
The opening stage takes riders through Istanbul's western districts, with the 165.1-kilometer route expected to provide the first major opportunity for the sprinters to fight for victory and the opening lead in the general classification.
Stage 2, Sept. 4: Şile-Şile, approximately 150 km
The race then moves to Istanbul's Black Sea coast for a circuit around Şile. The stage's combination of coastal roads and changing terrain could produce a more selective finish than the opening day.
The shortest road stage takes the peloton into the heart of historic Istanbul. The urban route passes landmarks and districts including Ayvansaray, the Golden Horn, Eminönü and Kumkapı, with the course also running near Topkapı Palace.
The compact circuit is expected to create a fast and technical race, with positioning likely to be crucial as riders navigate the historic peninsula.
The overall winner will be decided in a 7.5-kilometer individual time trial at Beykoz Sports Forest.
The short course leaves little room for error, particularly for riders separated by small margins in the general classification. Unlike many modern time trials, however, riders will not be allowed to use dedicated time-trial bikes, aero helmets or disc wheels. Standard road bikes must be used.
The Tour of Istanbul awards UCI points under the 2.1 classification and features four major classification jerseys.
The orange jersey goes to the overall leader, while the blue jersey represents the points classification. The green jersey is awarded to the best climber and the white jersey to the leading under-23 rider.
Time bonuses will be available at designated intermediate sprints and stage finishes, adding another strategic element to the battle for the general classification.
The race offers a total prize purse of 32,400 euros, distributed according to the UCI's prize-money system.
Sixteen teams from eight countries are expected to take the start, creating a field that combines WorldTeam experience, ambitious professional squads and continental-level talent.
Among the most prominent entrants is Belgian WorldTeam Lotto-Intermarche, whose presence raises the competitive level of the race. The Belgian squad is an established presence in the sport's biggest races, including the Tour de France, and its participation gives riders from the smaller teams an opportunity to compete against WorldTour-level opposition.
Five professional teams also feature in the field, including squads seeking to strengthen their position as they pursue or consolidate WorldTeam status.
Ten continental teams complete the lineup, with four Turkish squads providing a strong domestic presence.
The combination gives the Tour of Istanbul a diverse field, bringing together experienced professionals, emerging riders and cyclists looking to earn valuable UCI points.
Team Novo Nordisk will be among the most closely watched teams in the field because of its unique identity.
The squad is the world's first fully professional cycling team made up entirely of riders living with Type 1 diabetes. Alongside its competitive ambitions, the team uses professional cycling to demonstrate that athletes with the condition can compete at the highest level while raising awareness about diabetes management.
The team has previously competed in Türkiye, including at the Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye and other races, using international events both to develop riders and promote its wider mission.
Its presence adds another compelling storyline to this year's Tour of Istanbul.
The race also offers an opportunity to showcase Istanbul as a major international cycling destination.
The peloton will travel across a striking variety of landscapes during the four days, including roads around Silivri and Çatalca, the Black Sea coastline near Şile, the historic streets of Fatih and the forests of Beykoz.
The varied courses will test different types of riders while giving the race a distinctly Istanbul character.
Shimano will provide neutral technical support with three cars and a motorcycle. The event will operate under standard UCI regulations covering feeding zones, time limits and other race procedures.
Road stages generally carry a 20% time limit, while the time trial has a 15% limit, although the race jury can exercise discretion where permitted under the regulations.
