Fabio Jakobsen Wins Antalya-Antalya Stage of 2024 Presidential Tour of Türkiye

Fabio Jakobsen of the DSM-Firmenich team emerged victorious in the Antalya-Antalya stage of the 2024 Presidential Tour of Türkiye on Sunday. The Dutch cyclist showcased his sprinting prowess in a thrilling finish, covering the 134.7 km stage in 2 hours, 56 minutes, and 31 seconds.

The 59th edition of the prestigious road cycling stage race features a total of 172 cyclists from 25 teams and 14 countries, competing in an 8-day, 1,188-km tour from Antalya to Istanbul. The event includes 4 UCI WorldTeams, 9 UCI ProTeams, and 12 UCI Continental teams.

Jakobsen narrowly beat Sasha Weemaes of Bingoal WB, who finished just 4 seconds behind the winner, while Simon Dehairs of Alpecin-Deceuninck secured the third spot, 2 seconds behind Weemaes. The stage was marked by a breakaway of six riders, including Spaniard Marcel Camprub (Q36.5 Pro Cycling), but the peloton managed to catch them 19 km from the finish line.

Why this matters: The Presidential Tour of Türkiye is a significant event in the international cycling calendar, attracting top teams and riders from around the world. Jakobsen's victory in the opening stage sets the tone for an exciting and competitive race, as cyclists battle for the overall title in the coming days.

The tour will continue with Stage 2 on Monday, a challenging 190.6 km route from Kemer to Kaş featuring the first major mountain challenge. The final Stage 8 is scheduled to take place in Istanbul next Sunday, April 28, with a spectacular bridge crossing from the Asian (Anatolian) side to the European side of the city.

"I'm really happy with this win. The team did an amazing job today, and I'm proud to reward their efforts with a victory," Jakobsen said after the race. "It's a great start to the tour, but there's still a long way to go. We'll take it day by day and give our best in every stage."

Key Takeaways

• Fabio Jakobsen of DSM-Firmenich won the opening stage of the 2024 Presidential Tour of Türkiye.
• The 59th edition of the prestigious road cycling race features 172 cyclists from 25 teams and 14 countries.
• Jakobsen narrowly beat Sasha Weemaes of Bingoal WB, with Simon Dehairs of Alpecin-Deceuninck in third.
• The tour will continue with Stage 2 on Monday, featuring the first major mountain challenge.
• The final Stage 8 is scheduled to take place in Istanbul, with a bridge crossing from Asia to Europe.