Baskent, Turkey's capital, warmly greets participants of the Gran Fondo Baskent cycling event with blossoms and local dances.

In the heart of Turkey, Ankara played host to the Maximum Gran Fondo Baskent 2025 on August 24. This prestigious amateur road cycling event attracted hundreds of participants from various categories, including amateur, club, city, paralympic, and tandem cyclists.

The race course was meticulously designed, with the short course covering 56.6 kilometers (35 miles) and 1,096 meters of climbing, while the long course stretched to 90.6 kilometers (56 miles) with 1,237 meters of elevation. The route linked Bilkent Center to several cities and villages, including Incek, Tulumtas, Halacli, and Koparan.

As the cyclists pedaled through the picturesque landscapes, they were greeted with a warm welcome. The race turned into a cultural festival as riders were greeted with flowers and a traditional folk troupe in several villages. The most vivid scenes unfolded in Tulumtas Village, where traditional folk guards and dancers welcomed riders with music and choreography.

Despite the festive atmosphere, the competition remained sharp. Mithat Temizyurek won the men's race in a time of 01:33:47, while Aylin Yuce led the women's race in a time of 01:40:27. The long course was won by Toygar Suner in a time of 02:25:53, and Natalia Vallek of Azerbaijan's Genc Pesekar Velosipedciler team won the women's race in a time of 02:45:28.

The event was held with the support of various institutions and brands, including the Turkish Cycling Federation, Ankara Governorship, Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Maximum Card, the credit card brand of Türkiye Is Bank, served as the naming sponsor for the race.

Other sponsors included Skoda, Mosso, SPX, Sports International, Bilkent Center, Bilkent Hotel & Conference Center, Rova Technology, Koru Hospital, Bilintur, and Tepe Emlak. The race received enthusiastic support along Angora Boulevard and elsewhere.

The race did not take place in direct relation to the magnitude 4.8 earthquake in Balikesir's Sindirgi, despite being mentioned in an earlier paragraph. The race was captured on video by the Gran Fondo Baskent team, providing a lasting record of the event.

The organization of the Maximum Gran Fondo Baskent 2025 in Ankara was taken over by 78 Event, ensuring a smooth and successful event. The race continues to be one of Turkey's most prestigious amateur road cycling events, attracting both local and international participants.

Baskent, Turkey's capital, warmly greets participants of the Gran Fondo Baskent cycling event with blossoms and local dances.