Armenia Hosts Its First International Professional Cycling Tour, Covering 500 Kilometers From Lake Sevan to Yerevan

Armenia is hosting a new international professional cycling race this week, with riders from 16 teams competing across more than 500 kilometers of the country as part of the UCI Europe Tour.

The inaugural Tour of Armenia began Sept. 10 in Gavar, near Lake Sevan, and will finish Sept. 13 in Yerevan. The four-day race is classified as a UCI 2.2 event, placing Armenia on the calendar of international road cycling competitions.

Polish rider Michal Pomorski of the Czech ATT Investments team won the opening stage, covering the 135-kilometer route from Gavar to Mets Masrik in 2 hours, 34 minutes and 47 seconds. His average speed was 52.331 kilometers per hour.

The first stage quickly developed into a battle among a breakaway group of about 20 riders, who opened a large advantage over the peloton.

With 13.5 kilometers remaining, Australian rider Fletcher Medway of Netcompany Ineos Racing Academy attacked on a descent. Pomorski and Switzerland’s Alexandre Balmer of Solution Tech Nippo Rali went with him, and the three remained clear heading into the finish.

Pomorski won the sprint in Mets Masrik, crossing ahead of Medway and Balmer. The three riders recorded the same stage time, but time bonuses put Pomorski four seconds ahead of Medway and six seconds ahead of Balmer in the overall standings.

The victory also gave Pomorski the red jersey as race leader and the orange jersey for the points classification. Medway took the white jersey as the best young rider.

The opening stage had an immediate effect on the overall race. The main peloton finished more than 10 minutes behind the leading group of 18 riders, creating significant gaps before the race reached its mountain-heavy stages.

Pomorski: Altitude Made Opening Stage Tough

Pomorski said the speed of the race combined with the altitude made for a demanding first day.

“Today was really tough. It was difficult to breathe because of the altitude, and we gave everything we had right from the start,” he said. “But I can say that everything went perfectly.”

Pomorski was one of five Polish riders in the leading group, along with ATT Investments teammate Tomasz Budzinski.

“I was fighting for the stage victory, while he was aiming for a strong result in the general classification,” Pomorski said. “Even though we were riding at nearly 2,000 meters above sea level, the stage was extremely fast.”

He said the final 20 kilometers felt particularly long but was pleased to leave the opening stage in the leader’s jersey.

“I am very happy with both the victory and the red jersey,” Pomorski said. “Now I will try to help Tomasz during the mountain stages. We hope to achieve more strong results.”

Stage 2 Heads Into Armenia’s Mountains

The race continued Friday with its longest stage, a 177-kilometer route from Kirants to Stepanavan featuring about 2,400 meters of climbing.

The first intermediate sprint comes 61.4 kilometers into the stage, before riders begin a series of climbs through northern Armenia.

The first major ascent reaches Lermontovo at kilometer 81.5, at an elevation of 1,869 meters above sea level. Riders then face climbs near Odzun at kilometer 141 and Mghart at kilometer 153.5.

From the final climb, 23.5 kilometers remain to the finish in Stepanavan, where organizers say riders will face a technically difficult closing section.

The race has also prompted temporary road closures in communities along the route in Tavush and Lori provinces, including restrictions around Kirants, Ijevan and Dilijan.

Armenia Uses Race to Showcase Country Abroad

Education, Science, Culture and Sports Minister Zhanna Andreasyan officially opened the Tour of Armenia in Gavar, calling its launch a milestone for the country.

“This is a historic day for us,” Andreasyan said. “Our country has never had an experience like this before.”

She said Armenia spent nearly two years preparing for the event and described it as an important step in developing professional cycling in the country.

Organizers are also using the race to introduce international audiences to Armenia beyond sports. The four stages take riders through different landscapes and communities, with television coverage showing Lake Sevan, mountain roads and other parts of the country.

“By presenting the Tour of Armenia on prominent international platforms, we are making not only cycling more visible, but also our country, its communities, historical and cultural heritage, people and landscapes,” Andreasyan said.

She said the event could also help strengthen Armenia’s profile as a tourism destination.

Andreasyan said staff working on the competition are certified and licensed and that organizers worked with an international consulting company in preparing the race.

Coverage is being distributed through international broadcasters and streaming platforms, including HBO Max, FloSports, Disney+, ESPN, Okko, SBS, SPOTV and Zhibo TV.

Armenian Heritage Featured on Race Jerseys

Armenian symbols and landmarks are also incorporated into the jerseys worn by the race’s classification leaders.

Italian cycling apparel company Alé Cycling designed four jerseys for the Tour of Armenia.

The red jersey for the overall leader features the Armenian eternity symbol on the front and a stylized map of Armenia on the back.

The blue jersey for the best climber is inspired by Mount Aragats, Armenia’s highest mountain at 4,090 meters.

The orange jersey for the points leader uses a wave design intended to represent the speed and movement of cycling.

The white jersey awarded to the best young rider features Armenian carpet motifs on the front and the 13th-century Haghartsin Monastery on the back.

Race to Finish in Yerevan

An Armenian team is among the 16 squads competing in the Tour of Armenia.

After Friday’s Kirants-Stepanavan stage, the race continues Sept. 12 from Martuni to Dilijan, with the route finishing near Parz Lake.

The final stage will be held Sept. 13 in Yerevan.

By the end of the four-day competition, riders will have covered more than 500 kilometers across Armenia in the country’s first Tour of Armenia on the UCI Europe Tour calendar.

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