Date: Wednesday, 28 May 2025
TEHRAN, May 28 (MNA) – The second stage of the 37th Iran-Azerbaijan International Cycling Tour kicked off Tuesday, challenging riders with a 212-kilometer uphill route from Urmia to the Aras Free Zone.
Riders from top teams across Asia and Europe say this stretch could define the race.
Why it matters:
This tour isn’t just a local event,it’s one of the most prestigious and long-standing cycling competitions in Asia.
With international riders and national pride on the line, performance on the toughest stage could be a turning point for who claims the gold jersey.
The big picture:
Launched on May 5, the five-stage race spans Iran's northwestern provinces, East Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan, and Ardabil, with 11 domestic and international teams competing. The tour ends June 10, but today’s 212km climb from Urmia to Jolfa may prove decisive.
Details:
11 teams: Seven international squads from Indonesia (Jakarta Pro), Kazakhstan (Vino), Turkey (Spor Toto, Istanbul Bld Spor), Iraq (national team), Uzbekistan (Oyuson), and Germany (Bike Aid), alongside four Iranian teams.
Stage 1: A 153.8-kilometer course from Tabriz to Urmia, flagged off with a ceremonial pistol shot.
Editorial / Cycle 21
Turkey's Tahir Yihit won the second stage of the Tour of Iran, beating the leader, Eritrean Milkias Maekele, who won the opening day of the race. Yoel Habteab , like yesterday, finished in third place.
NEXT STAGE
Stage profile
2023 Edition: Saeid Safarzadeh
#TOPCiclo21 points : Eduardo Pérez Landaluce, 2 (first Spaniard in stage 2.1)
2nd STAGE CLASSIFICATION
| 1 | YIGIT Tahir | Spor Toto Cycling Team | 5:07:35 |
| 2 | MAEKELE Milkias | BIKE AID | ,, |
| 3 | HABTEAB Joel | BIKE AID | ,, |
| 4 | LABIB SHOTORBAN Ali | Iran | ,, |
| 5 | ÖRKEN Ahmet | Spor Toto Cycling Team | ,, |
| 6 | TSVETKOV Nikita | Uzbekistan | ,, |
| 7 | AYYORKUN Mustafa | Spor Toto Cycling Team | ,, |
| 8 | BERHANE Natnael | Istanbul Büyükșehir Belediye Spor Türkiye | ,, |
| 9 | YEMANE Even | Istanbul Büyükșehir Belediye Spor Türkiye | ,, |
| 10 | ALIYARI Aidin | Iran | ,, |
GENERAL AFTER 2ND STAGE
| 1 | MAEKELE Milkias | BIKE AID | 8:35:31 |
| 2 | YIGIT Tahir | Spor Toto Cycling Team | 0:06 |
| 3 | HABTEAB Joel | BIKE AID | 0:11 |
| 4 | Abdurrahman Muhammad | Jakarta Pro Cycling Team | 0:19 |
| 5 | LABIB SHOTORBAN Ali | Iran | 0:20 |
| 6 | OETOMO Yosandy Darmawan | Jakarta Pro Cycling Team | ,, |
| 7 | KHALMURATOV Muradjan | Uzbekistan | ,, |
| 8 | ÖRKEN Ahmet | Spor Toto Cycling Team | 0:22 |
| 9 | TSVETKOV Nikita | Uzbekistan | ,, |
| 10 | AYYORKUN Mustafa | Spor Toto Cycling Team | ,, |
