Kazakhstan’s Alexey Lutsenko Triumphs in Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye
Alexey Lutsenko of the Astana Qazaqstan Team emerged as the champion of the 58th Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye, which took place from October 8 to 15. The team’s press service reported that Lutsenko claimed the victory in a challenging race.
Lutsenko, 31, took the leader’s jersey during a grueling stage at Babadağ, which featured a tough and lengthy climb. He successfully defended his position over the next five days and secured the overall victory in the final general classification, with Ben Zwiehoff and Harold Tejada taking second and third place, respectively.
This year’s victory carried extra significance for Lutsenko, as he had finished in second place in his previous appearance in Türkiye. Motivated to perform better, he and his teammates aimed for success after an impressive performance at the 19th Asian Games.
“This is the perfect way to end the season for both the team and myself. It’s great to finish a challenging season with this triumph,” Lutsenko expressed his joy.
Astana Qazaqstan Team General Manager Alexandr Vinokurov emphasized the importance of this victory in the Olympic ranking. With this win, Kazakhstan earned crucial points and secured two out of four licenses for the Paris Olympics in 2024.
In the final stage held in Istanbul, Cees Bol, a sprinter from Astana, clinched his fourth podium finish in this edition of the Tour of Türkiye, coming in second place in a bunch sprint.
The success of the Astana Qazaqstan Team in the Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye not only brings pride to the team and the athletes but also contributes to Kazakhstan’s reputation in the world of cycling.
