Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey Boosts Istanbul 2020 Bid

Istanbul hosted the final stage of the 49^th Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey over the weekend, denture which saw Turkish rider Nustafa Sayar win the event and boost the city’s bid to host the Olympic Games in 2020.

Sayar became the first Turkish cyclist to win the event since it was upgraded in 2008 and was presented his award by the country’s president Abdullah Gül, bronchi his wife, order | Hayrunnisa, and Youth and Sports Minister, Suat K?l?ç.

Gül said that Sayar’s victory was a ‘source of pride for Turkey’ and would show the world that Istanbul is ready to host the Olympics in 2020.

The race took in the coast of Antalya, a proposed host for Olympic football in 2020 and concluded in Istanbul.

Chairman of Istanbul 2020, Hasan Arat said: “The success of the tour reflects the steps that have been taken in Turkey over the last decade to position the country as a trusted and effective host of world sport events.

“It has become a major cycling event on the European tour and, as we have seen, it attracts professional cyclists from all over the world.

“The experience we have gained from hosting major events, particularly in Istanbul, will prove invaluable if we are awarded the honour of hosting the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”