AKRA Gran Fondo powered by AG Tohum will start on Sunday, April 30, 2023, from Kemer Olbia Park.

The cyclists participating in the race will pedal for the children in the earthquake zone. The 700 bicycles that will be purchased with the registration revenues and contributions from sponsors of the event will be distributed to earthquake victims in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Turkey.

AKRA Gran Fondo Antalya powered by AG Tohum, with its unique two routes in the Kemer district, where every shade of green can be witnessed, will host 570 cyclists from 13 countries in its fifth year. The press conference for the amateur road cycling race, which will take place in Kemer, one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations with its magnificent sea, nature parks, and much more, was held at AKRA Hotel. On April 30, 2023, cyclists at AKRA Gran Fondo Antalya powered by AG Tohum will witness the unique geography of the Mediterranean by pedaling for the benefit of others, starting from the endless beaches of Kemer.

Organized for the first time in 2018 with the sponsorship of AKRA Hotels and the support of AG Tohum by Argeus Travel & Events and Yedi İletişim, the event has been contributing to the development of cycling culture in Turkey with increasing interest every year. Hundreds of cyclists from different parts of the world, from Germany to Egypt, from Belgium to the United Kingdom, and from the United States to Ukraine, will pedal for the children affected by the earthquake disaster that occurred in February. The revenues from the registration fees and contributions from sponsors of the event will be used to purchase 700 bicycles to be distributed to earthquake victims in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Turkey.

The competition among cyclists from many parts of the world will once again be breathtaking. The press conference of this important event was held at AKRA Hotel with the participation of Antalya Governor Ersin Yazıcı, Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Secretary-General Av. Cansel Tuncer, Kemer Mayor Necati Topaloğlu, Turkish Cycling Federation President Emin Müftüoğlu, Turkish Cycling Federation Supervisory Board Vice Chairman Abdurrahman Arıcı, Akdeniz Touristic Hoteliers and Operators Association (AKTOB) President Kaan Kavaloğlu, Fraport TAV Antalya Airport General Manager Deniz Varol, BHM Hospitality Board Chairman Haydar Barut, Corendon Airlines Corporate Communications and Marketing Director Tuğba Güner, Antalya Promotion Foundation (ATAV) President Yeliz Gül Ege, Salcano Bicycle Board Member Yusuf Akgül, Yaşam Hospital Board Chairman Cemal Özkan, AKRA Gran Fondo General Director Aydın Ayhan Güney and AKRA Gran Fondo Project Coordinator A. Haluk Özsevim, as well as representatives of public institutions and sponsor brands, and media members.

Speaking at a press conference, Antalya Governor Ersin Yazıcı expressed that the AKRA Gran Fondo Antalya added color to the capital of tourism and stated that “Sports events add dynamism to our city, and bring a unique atmosphere to Antalya, which stands out with its tourism and historical values. Bicycle enthusiasts from different cities of Turkey and the world will have an enjoyable race in Kemer, which is known for its natural beauties. The contribution of sports to promotion cannot be denied. AKRA Gran Fondo Antalya will not only showcase our natural beauties, but also draw the attention of the cycling community to Antalya. Moreover, I find it very meaningful that the registration income and contributions from sponsors will be used to purchase bicycles and give them as gifts to children affected by earthquakes. As Antalya, which hosted 170,000 people due to the earthquake this year, we turned this race into a social project to make earthquake-affected children happy. While thanking those who contributed to this organization, we wish success to the athletes.”

Antalya Metropolitan Municipality General Secretary, Av. Cansel Tuncer, reminded that Antalya has unique natural beauties and stated that “Sports events like AKRA Gran Fondo Antalya have an important place in promoting Antalya’s beauties. As Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, we support culture, art, and sports events that add value to Antalya. AKRA Gran Fondo Antalya is one of the events we value. We wish the race to be enjoyable for our athletes.”

Kemer Mayor Necati Topaloğlu mentioned the unique beauties of Kemer and stated that “Kemer has an unmatched geography and climate for sports tourism. As Kemer Municipality, we produce different projects every year and will continue to do so. I would like to thank our governor for showing his support in this regard, as he has never hesitated to show his support. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the organization of AKRA Gran Fondo Antalya.”

Emin Müftüoğlu, the President of the Turkish Cycling Federation, drew attention to the bicycle events held in Antalya in recent years and said, “In the past, large crowds did not participate in cycling sports. It is gratifying for us to see that AKRA Gran Fondo Antalya, which is being held for the 5th time, has reached this point. I would like to thank Antalya Governor Ersin Yazıcı for his contributions to the branding of bicycle tourism.”

Abdurrahman Arıcı, the Chairman of the Cycling Federation Inspection Board, stated that “We have always supported and will continue to support all organizations related to cycling sports. I hope to see Antalya in larger-scale international organizations with its own team in the future. I thank everyone who contributed to this race.”

Kaan Kavaloğlu, the President of the Mediterranean Touristic Hoteliers and Operators Association (AKTOB), stated that sports added diversity to Antalya tourism and said, “As known, hundreds of football teams come to Antalya for their camps every year. In addition, we host thousands of golf enthusiasts with our world-class golf courses. Now, in addition to bicycle events, we will host bicycle teams as well.”

The President of the Antalya Promotion Foundation (ATAV), Yeliz Gül Ege, stated that sports events make significant contributions to the promotion of Antalya, saying that “AKRA Gran Fondo Antalya also makes a valuable contribution to the promotion of the tourism capital”. 

Deniz Varol, the General Manager of Fraport TAV Antalya Airport, stated that Antalya is an important region for athletes with its climate, nature, and geographical structure, and said, “We will continue to support quality sports organizations that contribute to the promotion of Antalya”. 

Haydar Barut, the Chairman of the Board of BHM Hospitality, stated that AKRA Gran Fondo has become a brand that adds value to Antalya, saying, “The natural beauties of Kemer will accompany the athletes in this race. We thank everyone who contributed to this race”. 

Tuğba Güner, Corporate Communications and Marketing Director of Corendon Airlines, emphasized that Antalya has become the capital of cycling, saying: “Like many international sports events held in our city, we have been supporters of AKRA Gran Fondo since day one. It is very gratifying for the Corendon family that the organization has continued to develop and make Antalya the capital of cycling. We will continue to support cycling tourism with such events and our bike-friendly hotels”.

Cemal Özkan, Chairman of the Board of Yaşam Hospitals, expressed his feelings and thoughts about this organization as follows: “We are happy to live in the most beautiful city in the world. This extraordinary and beautiful organization, which adds value to our city and cycling since its first year, is very becoming to our city. Cycling also suits our city very well. We, as Antalya Yaşam Hospitals Group, are proud to be a sponsor of health services in this organization that adds so much value to our city, and we thank everyone who contributed to this organization, especially Haydar Barut”.

AKRA Gran Fondo General Director Aydın Ayhan Güney stated that they are happy to see an increase in the number of amateur athletes participating in cycling races with Gran Fondo, and said, “AKRA Gran Fondo is a very nice organization that has a positive impact on both the sports sector and tourism. We will complete our race in Kemer in this unique geography, accompanied by beautiful weather”.

AKRA Gran Fondo Project Coordinator A. Haluk Özsevim said, “I am very happy to be here today. I thank our governor for leading us. We are in great harmony with both the private sector and public institutions in our city of Antalya, and all of Antalya is with us. Together, we will take amateur cycling races to a much better place”. 

AKRA Gran Fondo Antalya, powered by AG Tohum, organized with the contributions of the Antalya Governorship, Kemer District Governorship, Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, Konyaaltı Municipality, Kemer Municipality, Antalya Youth and Sports Provincial Directorate, Turkish Cycling Federation, Antalya Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ATSO), and sponsored by Corendon Airlines, Fraport TAV Antalya Airport, Diana Travel, Paloma Hotels, Regnum Carya, Zemzem, and Ce…

AKRA Gran Fondo Antalya powered by AG Tohum brings racing excitement from Kemer coves to Taurus Mountains

AKRA Gran Fondo Antalya powered by AG Tohum, organized in Kemer, one of the most important tourism centers of Antalya, the capital of tourism, offers amateur cyclists not only competition and adrenaline but also a unique scenery with its route.

The race, which will be held in two different categories, 98 kilometers and 49 kilometers, offers a blue and green stage experience with the iconic sea and forests of Kemer. Kemer, which attracts attention with its natural beauties where the sea, mountains, and pine forests meet, is a destination that hundreds of thousands of guests prefer for vacation every year with its richness. Kemer, surrounded by important ancient cities, is also an important destination for history enthusiasts.

The start and finish point of the 98 km AKRA track will be Kemer Olbia Park. Cyclists will start on Sunday, April 30th at 08:00 and travel towards Göynük and Beldibi, which are important tourism resorts of Kemer. In this enjoyable route where blue Mediterranean accompanies on the right and green Taurus Mountains on the left, cyclists will have the most beautiful view of Antalya. After Göynük and Beldibi, cyclists will climb through Konyaaltı district from Sarısu Beach in Antalya, and then reach Altınyaka road where they will have an Antalya view again. After Altınyaka, a green stage will welcome cyclists surrounded by Hisarçandır. Pedals leaving Hisarçandır behind will accelerate towards Kemer passing through Üçoluk and Ovacık. Cyclists who pass the Kesme Boğazı Canyon and then the Beydağları Coastal National Park will reach Çamyuva and finish in Kemer Olbia Park. The total climb of the long route will be 2,000 m+.

The start and finish of the 49 km AKRA Gran Fondo Antalya powered by AG Tohum stage will also take place at Kemer Olbia Park. Cyclists, who will start at 08:30, will quickly head towards Kemer-Antalya road. Cyclists advancing towards Beldibi direction with a flawless road will have sea, mountain, and forest scenery again. Cyclists, who will return from Beldibi-Bahçecik for a U-turn, will head towards Kemer again, passing through Beydağları Coastal National Park and Çamyuva to finish at Kemer Olbia Park. The total climb of the short route will be 537 m+.

Athletes who will pedal in these two exciting stages will embrace clean air, sea, forests, and mountains. Kemer, which has Turkey’s most beautiful climate and nature, will give athletes an adrenaline-filled weekend.

In 2023, AKRA Gran Fondo Antalya powered by AG Tohum will host 570 cyclists in 18 categories. Paralympic and tandem cyclists will also participate in AKRA Gran Fondo.

According to UCI and Turkish Cycling Federation regulations, a total of 570 cyclists from 13 countries will participate in the AKRA Gran Fondo Antalya powered by AG Tohum event in 2023, including 513 male and 57 female athletes.

The distribution of the 570 cyclists who will compete in 18 categories from 13 countries, including Germany, the United States, Belgium, Georgia, England, Kazakhstan, Northern Cyprus, Egypt, Turkey, the Russian Federation, Slovenia, Tuvalu, and Ukraine, will be as follows:

191 cyclists will compete in the Elite Men (18-34), Master Men (35-39), Master Men (40-44), Master Men (45-49), Master Men (50-54), Master Men (60-64), Master Men (65+), Elite Women (18-34), Master Women (40-44), and Pro Men categories on the AKRA 98 km route.

379 cyclists will compete on the AG Tohum 49 km route in the Young Men (16-17), Elite Men (18-34), Master Men (35-39), Master Men (40-44), Master Men (45-49), Master Men (50-54), Master Men (55-59), Master Men (60-64), Master Men (65+), Elite Women (18-34), Master Women (35-39), Master Women (40-44), Master Women (45-49), Master Women (50-54), Master Women (55-59), Paralympic, and Tandem categories. There will be 5 cyclists competing in the Paralympic category, while 15 teams from the Eşpedal Association and Gaziantep Municipality Sports Club will participate in the Tandem category with specially produced two-person bicycles for the visually impaired.

Kemer, which has become one of the most important regions for sports tourism in recent years with its unique nature and beautiful cycling routes and alternative sports events, will once again host a cycling festival with the AKRA Gran Fondo Antalya powered by AG Tohum 2023 race, with pedals turning for good cause this year.

The program of the event is as follows.

April 29, 2023

10:00 – 22:00 Race kit delivery – Kemer Olbia Park

10:00 – 19:00 EXPO – Kemer Olbia Park

20:30 – 21:00 Technical Meeting – Kemer Olbia Park

April 30, 2023

07:30 – 17:00 EXPO – Kemer Olbia Park

06:00 – 07:30 Race kit delivery – Kemer Olbia Park

08:00 AKRA Course (98 km) Start – Kemer Olbia Park

08:30 AG TOHUM Course (49 km) Start – Kemer Olbia Park

14:00 AKRA Gran Fondo Antalya Awards Ceremony – Kemer Olbia Park