Mutlu Erçevik Aims to Raise Presidential Tour of Türkiye to World-Class Cycling Event

Mutlu Erçevik, the race director of the Presidential Tour of Türkiye, has set his sights on transforming the event into a world-class cycling competition. With a vision to showcase Türkiye's diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage, Erçevik plans to introduce exciting new stages and innovative features to attract top riders and teams from around the world.

As the only intercontinental cycling tour, the Presidential Tour of Türkiye holds a unique position in the cycling world. Erçevik, who has been involved in the organization's operations for years, expressed his satisfaction and enthusiasm in being part of this prestigious international sports event. His responsibilities include designing the race routes and coordinating various units during the event.

Looking ahead to the future, Erçevik mentioned the possibility of adding an individual or team time trial stage to the race. However, he acknowledged that logistical challenges may prevent this from happening in the next 1-2 years. Despite these obstacles, Erçevik emphasized the organization's goal to return the Presidential Tour of Türkiye to the World Tour level and make it one of the best weekly tours in the world.

Why this matters: The raising of the Presidential Tour of Türkiye to a world-class cycling event has the potential to boost Türkiye's tourism industry and showcase the country's natural beauty to a global audience. The inclusion of top international riders and teams would further solidify the event's prestige and attract more fans and media attention.

For the 2024 edition, Erçevik promised exciting stages, including a challenging summit finish at Mount Spil in Manisa, which will be critical for determining the general classification. The 59th edition of the tour will also feature stages in Izmir, with the final stage concluding at Karşıyaka Pier. As the race director, Erçevik and his team are working tirelessly to raise the event and provide a thrilling experience for athletes and spectators alike. "We are excited to showcase the beauty of Türkiye and provide a challenging and memorable experience for the riders," Erçevik stated, emphasizing the organization's commitment to making the Presidential Tour of Türkiye a must-see event on the international cycling calendar.

Key Takeaways

• Race director Mutlu Erçevik aims to transform the Presidential Tour of Türkiye into a world-class event.
• The tour plans to showcase Türkiye's diverse landscapes and cultural heritage to attract top riders.
• Potential additions include an individual/team time trial stage, subject to logistical challenges.
• The 2024 edition will feature a challenging summit finish at Mount Spil and stages in Izmir.
• The event aims to return to the World Tour level and become one of the best weekly tours globally.