Tour of Turkey ready to set off

The Presidential Tour of Turkey (TUR) enters its second half-century this year, and an international peloton of the highest order will join the opening celebrations at the seaside resort of Alanya, on the Mediterranean coast, where the first of the eight stages begins on April 26.

Speaking at a press meeting in Istanbul on April 8, Presidency Secretary-General ?brahim Kas?rga said the event creates an opportunity to promote Turkey on the international stage.

"Our country is continuing to prove itself in international sports events," said Kas?rga.

Turkish Cycling Federation chair Emin Müfüto?lu said the TUR had developed into a significant "brand" for the country.

"Hopefully it will be one of the top events in the world by its 100th edition," he said.

The 2015 TUR will host five teams from Italy, four from Belgium, two from each of Australia and the United States, and one from each of Colombia, France, Kazakhstan, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Spain and the host nation, Turkey.

The 21 teams confirmed comprise six WorldTour teams, 14 ProContinental teams and one Continental team. They include the team of last year's champion Adam Yates (Orica - GreenEDGE), the team of runner-up Rein Taaramäe (Astana Pro Team), the team of nine-time TUR stage winner André Greipel (Lotto Soudal), and Etixx - QuickStep, whose sprinter, the former World Champion Mark Cavendish, won four stages in the 2014 TUR.

The WorldTour teams are completed by Lampre - Merida and Tinkoff - Saxo.

The route of the 2015 race retains its essential charm through the southwestern coast of Turkey, combining tantalizing stages for the sprinters with sumptuous mountain stages where the overall results classification will, in all probability...