L’Étape Türkiye 2026: Cycling Between Two Continents in Istanbul
2,000 cyclists from 23 countries took on Visa | Maximiles Black L’Étape Türkiye by Tour de France, enjoying a unique course connecting Asia and Europe in the heart of Istanbul.
On Sunday, September 20, L’Étape Türkiye by Tour de France returned to Istanbul for its third edition, bringing together sport, passion and the unique spirit of cycling.
Starting from Ümraniye Anadolu Millet Bahçesi, 2,000 participants representing 23 countries set out on the roads of Istanbul for an extraordinary cycling experience. From forested sections to the shores of the Bosphorus and the crossing of the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, riders had the unique opportunity to cycle from Asia to Europe.
The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge was also the setting for one of the sporting highlights of the day. With the Škoda Sprint, this iconic link between the two continents became a battleground for the fastest riders in the race, adding an extra competitive dimension to the spectacular crossing of the Bosphorus.
Three courses were on the programme: the challenging 97.6 km Long Course, the 41.3 km Short Course and the 31.4 km Intercontinental Experience Course, giving cyclists of different levels the opportunity to enjoy the L’Étape experience.
Boyraz and Demirsoy claim the Long Course titles
On the 97.6 km Long Course, the men’s victory came down to an incredibly tight finish. Ömer Cumhur Boyraz crossed the line first in 2:35:31, just one second ahead of Martin Stefanov and Petar Dashev.
In the women’s race, Gökçe Demirsoy claimed victory in 2:57:03, ahead of Züleyha Dikbaş and Şeniz Pamuk.
On the 41.3 km Short Course, Recep Ünalan won the men’s race in 1:03:09, while Aylin Yüce took the women’s title in 1:07:34.
The iconic jerseys of the Tour de France were also awarded on the roads of Istanbul. Ömer Cumhur Boyraz and Gökçe Demirsoy notably took home the Yellow Jerseys as the overall classification winners.
Chris Froome joins the L’Étape Series experience
The third edition was also marked by the presence of four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome. The British champion shared the day with cycling enthusiasts in Istanbul, further strengthening the connection between L’Étape Türkiye and the history of the Tour de France.
With victories at the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España during his career, Froome belongs to the select group of riders to have won all three Grand Tours.
A celebration of cycling in the heart of Istanbul
Beyond the competition, L’Étape Türkiye once again brought together riders, supporters and cycling enthusiasts for a true celebration of cycling at Ümraniye Anadolu Millet Bahçesi.
Combining sporting challenge, the atmosphere of the Tour de France and the unique opportunity to ride between two continents, L’Étape Türkiye 2026 delivered another memorable day of cycling on the roads of Istanbul.
