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The Yesilay-L'Etape Türkiye by Tour de France public ride brought amateur cyclists together in Istanbul, offering a preview of the city's biggest cycling event of the year.
The ride began and ended at Sepetciler Mansion, a historic waterfront pavilion overlooking the Bosphorus in Istanbul's Historic Peninsula.
Türkiye Yesilay Association General President Mehmet Dinc, Yesilay Board Member Hasan Siret Albayrak, Istanbul Provincial Director of Youth and Sports Seyda Dursun, and L'Etape Türkiye General Director Omer Kafkas were among those who attended the event.
Around 1,500 participants joined the public ride, which took place one week ahead of the main competitive event, L'Etape Türkiye by Tour de France 2026.
Cyclists rode a 20-kilometer route that wound through some of Istanbul's most iconic neighborhoods, including the Historic Peninsula, Galata, Karakoy, Besiktas, and Balat.
The event was organized by Yesilay, Türkiye's leading organization dedicated to the fight against addiction, as part of its broader effort to promote physical activity and healthy living.
Dinc explained that cycling has become closely associated with Yesilay's public health initiatives, noting that the organization holds regular bicycle tours throughout the year.
He described the event as the first time the Türkiye leg of the globally recognized L'Etape by Tour de France series had been opened to public participation through a dedicated ride.
According to Dinc, sport offers benefits that extend beyond physical health, contributing significantly to mental well-being and helping foster a shared sense of community and enthusiasm among participants.
Kafkas noted that L'Etape Türkiye by Tour de France is now in its third year in the country, with the event continuing to expand in scale and popularity each year.
He said the main competitive race is scheduled for Sept. 20 and will feature three separate routes measuring 105 kilometers (65.2 miles), 50 kilometers, and 32 kilometers for competing cyclists.
Kafkas added that the public ride was designed to give people who might find the competitive routes too demanding a chance to experience the spirit of the race in a more accessible format.
Drawing a connection between the event's key partners, Kafkas pointed out that the Tour de France has a 123-year history, Istanbul is an ancient city with a history spanning thousands of years, and Yesilay works to combat addiction, making the collaboration a natural fit.
He emphasized that cycling plays a unique role in public health, helping to reduce obesity, limit opportunities for unhealthy habits, ease urban traffic, and lower carbon emissions.
Dursun noted that participation in such organized cycling events has grown steadily year after year, adding that the Ministry of Youth and Sports remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote both sport and Istanbul's international profile.
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