UCI Gran Fondo World Series – Antalya (Turkey 🇹🇷)
An Unexpected Invitation
I was out riding my mountain bike when I received a message from my friend Carlos. “Do you want to go to Turkey in 10 days?” he asked. Surprised and curious, I replied, “Why?” He explained that he’d been invited to a race and could bring a friend. Knowing I rarely say no to these offers. The event? The UCI Gran Fondo World Series in Antalya, Turkey.
Ten days later, Carlos and I found ourselves at the airport, checking in our road bikes and flying to Istanbul and then to Antalya International Airport. We were warmly received by Uraz, our guide for the trip. Joining us were Max and Paris from the UK, Omar from Italy, Michael from Colombia, so we were a group of 6.
Exploring Antalya
Our first stop was the Antalya Museum, where we immersed ourselves in the rich history of the city and the Turkish people. The museum covered everything from the Bronze Age to connections with the Roman Empire.
Next, we headed to the harbor, where a boat awaited us for a relaxing ride. From the sea, Antalya offered an amazing perspective: the vast sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs with homes on their edges, and the majestic Beydağlar Mountains—a breathtaking extension of the Taurus Mountains that rise between 1,600 and 3,000 meters. Seeing mountains so close to the sea is a topographical feature I really love admire.
Our tour ended in Antalya’s Old Town, where the preserved architecture transported us to another era. Even the newly renovated buildings were built to strict design rules, making sure the heritage of the Turkish people remained alive.
Race Day: Chaos on the Wet Roads
Race day was intense from the very start. I was nervous beforehand, not sure what to expect. It was a 100km flat course, which meant it would be fast. The rolling start gave way to the checkered flag, and suddenly, the sound of gears shifting where everything I could hear. Riders moved forward, accelerating to 40-50 km/h in a big peloton. It was scary being so close to others, especially with the roads still wet from rain, often touching shoulders. Puddles forced us to stay really focus, jumping obstacles to avoid crashes.
The route had just one climb—short but steep, less than 2km long. I knew it would be critical to stay with the front group, but the pace was punishing. Halfway up, I realized I couldn’t sustain the first’s speed and slowed donwn, trying to minimize my losses. At the top, I spotted the front group ahead. Pushing hard, I caught a rider who pulled me into a small group of four. Together, we worked to close the gap, eventually rejoining the leaders after a huge effort.
The rain and the slippery roads led to numerous crashes. Fortunately, I managed to stay on the bike. By the time, the crashes left the front group with only 15-20 riders. However, the lack of coordination allowed the second group to catch us with just 10km to go. The road widened, and attacks started. Every move from was countered, keeping the pack together.
With 5km to go, the pace intensified. I had to push a lot, struggling to stay in position. At 2km to the finish, the speed increased again, and rain began to fall. The drops felt like needles against my skin as we pushed at 50-55 km/h. Close to the final kilometer, we were down to five riders in the front. I waited, knowing I had the power for a late push but not the keep it for a long sprint.
I saw one guy on my right slowly passing me and then, about 150m before the finish line I decided to go, I did a couple of pedal strokes and I heard a noise and suddenly no resistance to my pedals. I broke the chain I thought. Anyway, I standed still and rolled through the finish line with the speed I already had.
I initially thought I was in contention for the win, but two riders had broken away earlier, finishing two minutes ahead. Our group was racing for bronze. I ended up in 6th place, sharing the same time as the third place finisher. Despite the mechanical issue, I was thrilled with my performance. Riding 100km in under 2 hours and 30 minutes with a 40 km/h average speed was an incredible ride.
This race was a new format of racing for me and one thing’s for sure—this won’t be my last Gran Fondo. Even though it was a short trip, we had an amazing time in Antalya.
Thanks again to
&
UCI Nirvana Grand Fondo Antalya
for the invite