Fethiye will once again host an international band of cyclists competing in the annual Tour of Turkey cycle race that will take place this year on the 28th and 29th April 2011.

The Tour of Turkey has been slowly developing as one of the key races in the international cycling road race calendar. Last year it attained one of the formal classifications meaning it attracted some of the top teams and their riders in the tough race.

This year the annual race will follow a similar route to 2010, which was very successful, beginning in Istanbul on 24th April and finishing in Alanya on the 1th May 2011.

A total of 22 teams are taking part with 8 riders to a team. For the first time Turkey will have two professional teams in the race.

The race will cover 8 stages and 1,387km:

1. Istanbul 24/4

2. Kusadasi – Turgutreis 25/4

3. Bodrum – Marmaris 26/4

4. Marmaris – Pamukkale 27/4

5. Pamukkale – Fethiye 28/4 (The longest stage at 221km and the highest too!)

6. Fethiye – Finike 29/4

7. Tekirova – Manavgat 30/4

8. Side – Alanya 1/5

Stage 7 appears to be a change to last year to avoid Antalya where an accident occurred due to slippery road surfaces.

We look forward to the arrival of the cyclists and their entourage as it brings so much interest to the town.