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The amateur race series officially linked to the Tour de France, L’Etape Series by Tour de France, will be staged in Türkiye in two separate cities in 2026, with IsBank’s credit card brand Maximiles Black and Visa named as title sponsors.
The calendar will bring the Tour de France-inspired race-day atmosphere to Marmaris on June 7 through “L’Etape Marmaris by Tour de France” and to Istanbul on September 20 through “L’Etape Türkiye by Tour de France.”
As a global concept that is run in 20 countries and 35 cities, L’Etape by Tour de France is designed to let amateur cyclists line up for a race experience modeled on the world’s most recognized cycling event.
In Türkiye, organizers say the goal is to carry across the “yellow jersey” spirit and the tradition of the Tour de France’s famed mountain stages into the country’s distinctive geography.
L’Étape du Tour de France is the amateur mass-participation format that aims to recreate the feel of racing on a Tour de France-style course while remaining open to non-professional riders. The series is run under the Tour de France organizer, Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), and the Marmaris event is being delivered in cooperation with 78 Event, a sports events company that has already delivered the Istanbul race.
ASO representatives said the series stands out because it is built around the Tour de France’s unique cultural pull, shaped by generations of iconic riders and the annual rhythm of July racing. In an interview with Türkiye Today, ASO’s L’Etape Series project manager Mathieu Clanchin described the Tour de France as “one of the top three events in the world after the World Cup and the Olympic Games,” adding that the aim is to keep that experience alive by bringing it to amateur riders.
Organizers framed Marmaris as a natural fit for a mountain-focused cycling weekend, pointing to terrain where steep climbs meet coastal scenery. ASO officials said host selection is carried out with 78 events, with an emphasis on building a story around each destination and on choosing places that actively want to host the event.
Clanchin said Marmaris offered the landscape needed to stage a compelling race, describing it as a “postcard image” where riders can take in mountains, sea views, and holiday-style surroundings. He also said Türkiye’s proximity to Europe and its flight connections could help draw international riders looking to travel around a sporting event, a pattern organizers said they also see with major marathons.
Officials said bringing an event of this profile to Marmaris is expected to help build the city’s brand value and put it on the radar of sports-minded visitors. The Marmaris district governor described the event as one that aligns with the city’s identity and can bring institutions, local government, civil society, and sector representatives together around a shared vision, while also encouraging healthy living and environmental awareness.
In remarks shared with Türkiye Today, Marmaris Mayor Acar Unlu emphasized that visitors increasingly travel to take part in experiences beyond “sea, sun, and sand” and said the event could give returning visitors a new reason to come back.
He also highlighted expectations that participants may arrive days in advance, which could support the local tourism economy at the start of the season, and he pointed to cycling as a more accessible activity that could help build awareness around sports, culture, and alternative transport.
The Marmaris stage is being set up as a mountain-style challenge, with long climbs and technical descents that draw inspiration from the Tour de France’s legendary mountain traditions.
78 Event General Manager Omer Kafkas said the routes are meant to deliver a professional-style race experience for amateurs, while also turning the day into a ride through coastal stretches, bays, mountain passes, and areas linked to the region’s historical landscape.
To international audiences unfamiliar with Tour de France symbolism, the event will include the sport’s best-known jersey concepts as part of the competitive narrative.
Organizers said these jerseys are more than visual elements, as they represent the Tour de France’s long-standing traditions.
Kafkas said riders who place in their categories in Marmaris will secure eligibility to take part in L’Etape du Tour in France.
They will do so alongside the winners of L’Etape Türkiye by Tour de France 2025, giving them a chance to ride on routes tied to the Tour de France’s most famous settings.
The Marmaris event is being staged under the name sponsorship of Visa and Maximiles Black, with institutional support listed from regional and local authorities and national sports bodies and additional sponsor support from brands including Yuce Auto-Skoda, Mosso Bicycle, Shimano Türkiye, and Marti Resort Marmaris.
Registration for both the Marmaris and Istanbul races has opened, with sign-ups set to run until dates determined by the race calendar.
Organizers also said early registration windows and bundled options for riders entering both events are being offered for a limited time. Details and registration are being handled through the official Marmaris event website.
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