78 Event General Manager Ömer Kafkas Explained the L'Étape Türkiye Process
78 Event General Manager Ömer Kafkas evaluated the stages of bringing the L'Étape by Tour de France series to Turkey and cycling organizations.
Conveying the processes of the L'Étape by Tour de France organization in Turkey and its cooperation with ASO, 78 Event General Manager Ömer Kafkas drew attention to the importance of people of all age groups playing sports together.
L'Étape by Tour de France Organization
L'Étape by Tour de France is an event organized annually by Amaury Sport Organisation since 1993, allowing amateur cyclists to race on the same route as a Tour de France stage.
Process of Entering the Turkey Calendar
Having been included in the Turkey calendar for the first time in 2024, the event was held in Istanbul for the first two years before meeting cyclists in Marmaris in 2026.
Entry into the Sector and Gran Fondo Projects
Ömer Kafkas stated that after his managerial background in corporate life, his paths crossed with Aydın Ayhan Güney, and they stepped into this sector by organizing Gran Fondo Marmara in 2016.
Over a Hundred Successful Organizations
Following their first major breakthrough by closing the Osmangazi Bridge to vehicle traffic, they signed off on many projects such as Gran Fondo Istanbul, Izmir, the Capital, and night races.
Cooperation and Integration with ASO
Stating that the cooperation process with ASO started with an e-mail, Kafkas expressed that they started organizing races in Turkey after an integration and certification process lasting about 1.5 years.
Record Engagement and International Success
While L'Étape Türkiye became the country with the highest engagement in the series with over 1.5 million interactions annually, the first Turkish champion Anton Hrabovski won the champions of champions trophy in France.