A scene from the 2024 edition of the Gran Fondo Baskent cycling race held in Ankara, Türkiye. (Photo via Gran Fondo Baskents website)
August 22, 2025 03:43 PM GMT+03:00
Ankara will host Maximum Gran Fondo Baskent, one of Türkiye’s most prestigious amateur road cycling races, on Sunday. Organizers said the mass-participation event—known globally as a “gran fondo,” an open-road amateur race with timed segments—will start at 8 a.m. in front of Bilkent Center, with all courses scheduled to reopen to traffic by 12:30 p.m.
The race is being held with support from the Ankara Governorship, Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ankara Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports, the Türkiye Cycling Federation, and organized by 78 Event, bringing together hundreds of local and international riders.
What to expect and when
Authorities noted that temporary road closures will apply along the designated routes throughout the race window. Drivers are advised to use alternative corridors until traffic returns to normal. Ankara Police and the event team stated they will guide safe crossings at all intersections and connecting roads.
Where roads will be closed
Closures will affect the start, outbound segments, return sections, and the finish area on the following corridors:
Bilkent Center (Start)1597th Street; 1598th Street; Bilkent 2 JunctionAngora Boulevard; Hacettepe B Medical Campus Road; Sakip Sabanci Boulevard; Anadolu Boulevard; 1071 Malazgirt BoulevardKabil Street; Cetin Emec Boulevard; Mesnevi Street; Hosdere StreetSimon Bolivar Street; Turan Gunes Boulevard; Incek Sehit Savci M. Selim Kiraz BoulevardBaglar Street; Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Boulevard; Seyfi Saltoglu Boulevard; Turgut Ozal BoulevardTulumtas; Halacli; Koparan; Eglence StreetKanuni Sultan Suleyman Boulevard (return); Angora Boulevard (return); Bilkent 2 Junction (return)1597-1 Street; 1597th Street (Finish)
Key junctions and reopening times
Officials shared target reopening times for several critical points to help drivers plan:Simon Bolivar–Turan Gunes connection: Open by 9:30 a.m.Sehit Savci M. Selim Kiraz Boulevard–Vista shopping mall junction: Open by 10:50 a.m.Tulumtas Koparan entrance: Open by 11:50 a.m.Traffic management and guidance
During the event, vehicle traffic will not be allowed on the listed corridors. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, follow on-site directions, and choose alternative routes until the course fully reopens. Police teams and race marshals will be positioned at junctions and access points to maintain safety and keep movements orderly.
August 22, 2025 03:44 PM GMT+03:00