TOUR OF ISTANBUL 2026 – RACE REGULATIONS
ARTICLE 1. ORGANIZATION
5th TOUR OF ISTANBUL is organized by Turkish Cycling Federation under the rules of the UCI. It is held between September 3-6, 2026. The address of the organization is;
Turkish Cycling Federation
Beştepe Mah. Yaşam Cad, Nergis Sk. Via Tower İş Merkezi, No:7/A Kat:8 Daire:15, Yenimahalle/Ankara
info@bisiklet.org.tr
Web: www.tourofistanbul.com.tr
Email: info@bisiklet.org.tr
ARTICLE 2. TYPE OF RACE
Tour of Istanbul is a 2.1 race listed on the UCI Europe Tour Calendar for Elite Men and Men Under 23 and consists of 4 stages. UCI points will be awarded according to the point scale specified in UCI 2.10.008.
- Stage 1 (3 September 2026): Silivri-Çatalca, 148.5 km
- Stage 2 (4 September 2026): Şile-Şile, 150.1 km
- Stage 3 (5 September 2026): Fatih-Fatih, 85.8 km
- Stage 4 (6 September 2026): Beykoz (ITT), 7.5 km
ARTICLE 3. PARTICIPATION
As a 2.1 race, it is open to UCI World Teams (max 50%), UCI Pro Teams, UCI Continental Teams, UCI Cyclo-cross professional teams and National Teams (according to 2.1.005). Teams must register a maximum of 7 riders, with a minimum of 5 riders (according to 2.2.003).
If the number of riders notified 15 days before the race is below 100, the organizer may allow participating teams to increase the number of riders per team to a maximum of 8 (according to 2.2.007).
ARTICLE 4. RACE HEADQUARTERS
It will be open daily from 09:00 – 18:00 between September 1-7. The address is:
WOW Hotel Istanbul Airport
Yeşilköy Mahallesi, Atatürk Havalimanı Yolu No:19, 34149 Bakırköy/İstanbul, Türkiye
ARTICLE 5. CONFIRMATION OF RIDERS AND MEETINGS
Licensed team managers will confirm the participating riders and collect race numbers. Rider’s confirmation and distribution of race numbers, Team Managers / Sports Directors Meeting (attendance of one manager from each team is mandatory) will take place on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at WOW Hotel Istanbul and times specified below with the participation of the Commissaire Panel:
15:00-16:30 Riders Confirmation
17:00-17:45 Team Managers Meeting
19:00-20:00 All Drivers Meeting
ARTICLE 6. RADIO TOUR
Race information will be broadcasted on the Radio Tour Channel 1, and the frequency will be announced during the Team Managers Meeting.
ARTICLE 7. NEUTRAL SUPPORT
Neutral support will be provided by SHIMANO using 3 cars and 1 motorcycle equipped with standard equipment.
ARTICLE 8. RACE INCIDENTS BEFORE THE FINISH
- a) If a rider or riders duly crash or experience a mechanical incident within the last three kilometers of the stage, they will be given the same time as the riders they were with when the incident occurred.
- b) If a rider crashes within the last three kilometers and cannot cross the finish line, he will be placed last in the ranking and given the time of the riders he was with at the time of the incident.
ARTICLE 9. STAGES EXPECTED TO END WITH A GROUP SPRINT
The following stages are designated as “expected to end in a bunch sprint”: Stage 1, 2, 3.
During these stages, the protocol of Calculation of time gaps for stages “expected to finish in bunch sprints” published on the UCI website in the Regulations section will be applied. (Article 2.6.027)
ARTICLE 10. FINISHING DEADLINE
The time limits are as follows:
1st Stage: 20%
2nd Stage: 20%
3rd Stage: 20%
4th Stage: 15%
The Jury may extend the finish time limit in exceptional cases of unforeseen and force majeure situations after consulting with the organizer (according to 2.6.032).
ARTICLE 11. RIDERS BEHIND THE RACE CONVOY
Riders falling behind the race convoy must follow the police or
organization vehicles and comply with all applicable traffic rules. They also must take off their backnumbers.
ARTICLE 12. CLASSIFICATIONS
Individual classification leaders will wear the following jerseys:
1- General Classification: Orange Jersey
2- Sprint Points Classification: Blue Jersey
3- King of the Mountains Classification: Green Jersey
4- The Best Young Rider in General Classification: White Jersey
If a rider qualifies to wear more than one jersey during the race, the order of priority is from 1 to 4. If a rider has to wear a different jersey according to the above priority order, the next rider in the respective classification will wear the jersey unless the leader of another classification (according to 2.6.018) has to wear it.
ARTICLE 13. INDIVIDUAL GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
It is formed by adding the times recorded in each stage (according to 2.6.014) along with bonuses and penalties. In case of a tie, UCI regulation 2.6.015 will be applied.
ARTICLE 14. BONUSES:
Time bonuses apply only to the individual general classification and are awarded according to UCI regulation Article 2.6.019.
-Time bonuses are awarded at Sprint Prime gates.
– Intermediate sprints: 3″ – 2″ – 1″
– Finish: 10″ – 6″ – 4″
ARTICLE 15. TEAM CLASSIFICATION
The Daily Team Classification is formed by adding the individual times of the best three finishers of each team. In case of a tie, teams will be separated by adding the positions of their top three finishers. If teams are still tied, the position of the best finisher of each team will determine the ranking.
The General Team Classification is formed by adding the Daily Team Classification times. Any team with less than three riders will not be classified in the General Team Classification. In case of a tie, the following criteria will be applied in order until teams are separated (according to 2.6.016):
1) Number of first places in the Daily Team Classification;
2) Number of second places in the Daily Team Classification etc;
3) Position of the best rider in the individual general classification.
ARTICLE 16. POINTS (SPRINT) CLASSIFICATION
It is formed based on the total points awarded at intermediate sprints and finishes. The exact locations and distances are shown on the stage maps and time schedules. Points are awarded as follows:
Intermediate sprints: 1st: 3 points 2nd: 2 points 3rd: 1 point
Finish: 1st: 5 points 2nd: 4 points 3rd: 3 points 4th: 2 points 5th: 1 point
In case of a tie, the following criteria will be considered in order until a rider is determined (according to 2.6.017):
1) Number of stage wins;
2) Number of wins in intermediate sprints counting for the general classification on points;
3) General individual time classification
ARTICLE 17. KING OF THE MOUNTAINS (KOM) CLASSIFICATION
It is based on the total points awarded at KOM gates. The exact locations and distances are shown on the stage maps and time schedules. Points are awarded as follows:
Category 2: 1st: 5 points 2nd: 4 points 3rd: 3 points 4th: 2 points 5th: 1 point
Category 3; 1.: 3 points, 2.: 2 points, 3.: 1 points
Category 4; 1.: 2 points, 2.: 1 points
In case of a tie, the following criteria will be considered in order until a rider is determined:
1) Number of first places in the highest category climbs;
2) Number of first places on climbs in the next inferior category and so on;
3) General individual classification by time.
ARTICLE 18. THE BEST YOUNG RIDER IN GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
The white jersey is awarded to the highest placed rider in the general classification under the age of 23 (born after January 1st 2003). In case of a tie, the following criteria (according to 2.6.017) will be considered in order until a rider is determined:
The fractions of a second registered during ITTs shall be added back into the total time to decide the order. If the result is still tied the placings obtained in each stage, shall be added and, as a last resort, the place obtained in the last stage ridden shall be taken into consideration.
ARTICLE 19. PRIZES
A total of €32,400 in prizes will be awarded by the organization. To be eligible for prize money in the final classification, competitors must complete the entire race within the official time limit.
The prize money will be distributed according to the baseline amounts set by the UCI financial regulations.
Prize money will be paid through the UCI Cycling Price Management system. Questions about payment should be sent to info@bisiklet.org.tr. All prize amounts will be paid after deductions determined by UCI.
ARTICLE 20. STARTS
Before each stage begins, it is mandatory for all riders to sign. Signatures must be made between 1 hour 15 minutes before the notified start time and 10 minutes before the start time.
Teams of riders must sign together. The order of the signing ceremony and the signing schedule for each team on the first stage will be organized in reverse order of the teams’ UCI ranking. For the following days, it will be arranged in reverse order of the teams’ overall ranking, following the 4 classification leaders’ teams. Teams that do not attend the signing ceremony on time will be warned and fined according to Article 2.12.007.1.1.
Classification leader riders are called to the start line in the following order: 1) Young Rider, 2) KOM, 3) Sprint, 4) General Classification leader. Additional riders may be called under special conditions. Team managers will be informed in such cases.
ARTICLE 21. FEED ZONE PROCEDURE
According to Article 2.3.025-027, Feed zones will be marked as indicated in the race guide on each course. There will be a designated area before and after each feed zone where athletes can dispose of their trash.
Before the final 20 kilometers of each stage, there will be a waste disposal area where athletes can discard their trash. Food and drink will be handed to athletes standing by their team’s accompanying personnel only, and no one else shall provide them. Food and drink will be given only from one side of the road (according to 2.3.026).
All feeding (from a car and standing) is strictly forbidden under the following circumstances (according to 2.3.027):
– Within the first 30 and last 20 kilometers;
– In the last 500 meters before a sprint counting for a secondary classification (points classification, king of mountain classification or others), bonus sprint, feeding zone;
– On descents of mountains specified in the King of the Mountains classification;
– In urban areas and other areas designated by the organizer or the panel of commissaires.
– Riders must ensure that the throwing of their water bottles to the public does not present any danger, either to the spectators (in the case of too violent throw), or to the other riders (in the case of the water bottle rolling back on to the road).
– In order to facilitate the feeding with musettes and the disposal of the latter by the riders, the organisers must extend the length of one litter zone (which will, if possible, be one kilometre in length) and inform the teams at the sport directors’ meeting and/or via the daily communique at the end of the day. Furthermore, assistants shall not feed riders in litter zones. Feeding can take place several hundred meters before or after the litter zones.
– For Beykoz ITT Stage : Team cars may be located on the course in a stationary position.
ARTICLE 22. AWARDS CEREMONIES
Awards ceremonies will take place in the finish area 10 minutes after the end of each stage. Athletes who do not attend the podium ceremony will be fined according to the UCI rules. The official awards ceremony based on classifications determined by the organizer will proceed in the following order. Athletes must participate in racing attire. After each stage:
– First three riders of the stage result,
– The leader of the general classification by time;
– Other classification leaders (Sprint, KOM, Young Rider)
After the final stage:
– First three riders of the stage result,
– Winners of other classifications (Sprint, KOM, Young Rider, Team)
– First three riders in the general classification by time,
*The organizer may alter the order due to operational needs with prior notification to the panel of commissaires.
After the official awards ceremony, the individual general classification leader is required, to proceed to the press room within 20 minutes (according to 2.2.082).
ARTICLE 23. PENALTIES
UCI penalties will be strictly enforced.
ARTICLE 24. RESULTS
The start list and full results list will be published daily at www.tourofistanbul.com.tr . Managers must register their email addresses (and those of relevant others such as team secretaries or press officers) for receiving various communication (start lists, results, communiques etc.) during the Riders Confirmation prior to the Team Managers’ Meeting. Once confirmed by the commissaires’ panel, an email containing links to PDFs will be sent to all individuals on the email list.
ARTICLE 25. HELMET & EQUIPMENT
From the signing on until the end of the final awards ceremony, athletes must wear helmets at all times when cycling, including warming up in the city.
For Beykoz ITT happens on a technical, undulating course, TT bikes, TT helmets and disc wheels are not permitted. Only normal road bikes are allowed.
ARTICLE 26. ATHLETE AND TEAM WORK
The provisions stated here will be binding and applicable to all athletes. Violations of race rules and regulations by any athlete, team member, or assistant may result in the entire team being penalized or disqualified.
Unsportsmanlike conduct, including but not limited to public urination, littering, and swearing in public areas, will not be tolerated. Officials reserve the right to penalize with time penalties, fines, and/or disqualification from the race if deemed necessary. Bottles and trash must be taken to team cars or organization vehicles. Fines will be imposed, and athletes may be prosecuted under local laws. Teams will be responsible for expenses arising from the loss or damage of allocated equipment such as hotel rooms or items like radios and transponders.
ARTICLE 27. IDENTIFICATION OF ATHLETES
Throughout the stages, all competitors must use the bike number and back numbers provided to them. Both back numbers must be placed on the rear pocket area of the jersey on both sides and must be clearly visible at all times during the race. Altering and/or folding/cutting numbers and damaging sponsor logos are prohibited.
ARTICLE 28. ANTI-DOPING CONTROLS
UCI anti-doping regulations are fully applicable in this organization. Anti-doping tests will be conducted at a designated location specified in the stage details of the race guide at the end of each stage, where applicable, the local anti-doping legislation will be applicable in addition to the UCI’s anti-doping regulations.