Yerevan, September 9, 2026 – The Tour of Armenia is ready to make its debut on the world cycling stage. Tomorrow at 12:55 PM local time (GMT+4), the first stage of the inaugural 2.2-class race, added from this season to the UCI Europe Tour calendar, will kick off. It starts from Gavar, the capital of the Gegharkunik region, and arrives in Mets Masrik, running alongside Lake Sevan, one of the largest high-altitude bodies of water in the world, for the entire stage. Featuring just 450 meters of elevation gain with a possible sprint finish, the unique aspect of riding on a plateau that never drops below 1,900 meters altitude over all 135 km scheduled could offer a few surprises.
The teams have arrived in Yerevan, one of the oldest cities in the world, in recent hours and are preparing for this intense four-day event that will close right in the capital on Sunday the 13th, with an exceptional ambassador like Samuel Sánchez awarding the winners. Four jerseys, designed by Italian company Alé Cycling, will dress the leaders of the respective classifications, referencing symbols of the Caucasian country. The rider who wins tomorrow's first stage will also wear the red jersey designated for first place in the general classification: the front designs reference the symbol of Armenian Eternity, while on the back is a stylized geographical map. The blue jersey, which will be up for grabs starting Friday with the first mountain passes, will mark the best climber, depicting in the background Mount Aragats, an extinct volcano and Armenia's highest peak at 4,090 meters. For the points classification, the orange jersey shines with stylized waves that recall the speed of modern cycling. Joining the three jerseys that together pay tribute to the national flag's colors is the traditional white jersey for best young rider, with typical tapestries on the front representing the country's culture and identity, while stylized on the back is the picturesque 13th-century Haghartsin Monastery.
In recent days, complete with an event in central Yerevan, the Tour of Armenia's charming mascot was also revealed: a roe deer fully dressed as a cyclist, complete with a helmet. Also attending the event was Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia, Zhanna Andreasyan, who strongly championed this race: "We have been working on this project for about two years. Surprising as it may seem, the idea was born from the major road infrastructure programs implemented by the Government. From these works, it became clear that our roads are in excellent condition and capable of hosting international cycling events. From there came the idea of taking advantage of this opportunity to organize an international cycling race in Armenia. An event of this kind creates solid foundations both for the development of cycling locally and for increasing the country's visibility globally."
An event that gives Armenia the chance to open its doors to the world, thanks also to the cooperation of multiple entities, as Andreasyan adds: "Having no prior experience in carrying out projects of this magnitude, we needed the guidance of a reliable international organization with proven expertise like RCS, an international consulting firm deeply involved in major cycling events like the Giro d'Italia, which visited our country and conducted preliminary inspections in various regions to advise us on the next steps to follow. Subsequently, the Tour of Armenia took shape, and we submitted our candidacy to the UCI to include the race on their calendar. From the moment we received the rewarding affirmative response, we prepared with great responsibility."
Regarding the 2026 route, the CEO of the local organizing company, Sports Management Center Khoren Zargaryan, comments: "We designed a balanced route to offer a varied experience for both cyclists and spectators, showing the world Armenia's great tourism heritage. The grand finale in Yerevan then holds a special meaning and charm." Specifically, he adds: "Tomorrow's stage, which opens the Tour, will be fast and will see teams battle it out right from the start. The second stage from Kirants to Stepanavan, on the other hand, with its 2,400 meters of elevation gain, will play a key role in the general classification, as will the third, from Martuni to Lake Parz in Dilijan. On Saturday, in addition to putting in the hard work on the bike, riders will pass through some of the most iconic settings that I am sure will leave TV viewers around the world speechless. On Sunday, we then opted for a fast, dynamic, and very appealing circuit for the public as well as for the riders. Finishing in the heart of Yerevan carries a special meaning."
The CEO and General Manager of RCS Sports and Events, Paolo Bellino, states: "Armenia is a country that over the years has shown strong dedication and concrete commitment to cycling. The Tour of Armenia represents a further step on this path, and we are delighted to share our experience to contribute to the success of an event that, starting this week, enters the international stage." And through cycling, it discovers new horizons: "The Giro d'Italia has always represented much more than a sports competition: it is a tool capable of creating connections, bringing cultures together, and strengthening relations between countries. The birth of this new sports partnership is concrete proof of that. Last May, the Italian Government visited Yerevan on the occasion of the European Political Community summit, precisely during the days the Giro d'Italia was taking place. I am certain that the Tour of Armenia, starting Thursday, will further strengthen through the universal language of cycling the excellent relations that already unite Italy and Armenia."
Attention is paid not only to the present, but also to the future, as Minister Zhanna Andreasyan emphasizes: "Our goal was not to organize a one-off event, but to make the Tour of Armenia a recurring race. Discussions with our partners showed that the routes can change every year. While this year's edition crosses the regions of Gegharkunik, Kotayk, Tavush, and Lori, future ones will be able to include other regions and communities across Armenia. This flexibility allows us to demonstrate that we are talking about an entire road network offering fantastic cycling routes. Thanks to the fact that race footage will be broadcast by international networks, audiences worldwide will discover that our country is fantastic for sports tourism. Our roads, landscapes, historical culture, and great hospitality are the best business cards we can offer."
The Tour of Armenia will indeed be broadcast on HBO Max across Europe, reaching every corner of the globe from the United States via Flo Sports, Central America with ESPN, China with Zhibo TV, Russia with Okko, and South Korea with SBS and SPO TV.
Among the sixteen teams at the start of the race is an Armenian-based team, a fundamental foundation for spreading cycling even further across all regions of the country. National Cycling Federation President Ara Sadoyan comments with satisfaction: "A stage race included on the UCI international calendar will offer our young athletes the opportunity to experience professional cycling at home, understand the level of competition, and familiarize themselves with the highest international standards. It will also be a fantastic experience for young cyclists coming to watch the race. We want the Tour of Armenia to help increase interest in youth cycling and encourage a new generation of athletes to get involved in the sport."
All of Armenia is falling in love with cycling, as Minister Andreasyan confirms: "We worked alongside all municipalities along the route to ensure they were prepared as best as possible. This is not just a sports project; it is an incredible showcase for our regions. The Tourism Committee of Armenia was involved in every phase of the process to represent our country through the cycling race. I am also convinced that our youth will turn out in large numbers to watch the event, especially since for us, sport is an essential component of physical education. Modern education cannot exist without a balanced combination of intellectual, emotional, and physical development”.