Having introduced the gruelling Elmali climb in 2012, the organisers of the Presidential Tour of Turkey have confirmed that the 1850 metre ascent will once again feature in next year’s edition of the event.
Compared by race director Abdurrahman Açikalin to Alpe d’Huez, the mountain saw the race blow apart and Ivaïlo Gabrovski (Konya Torku Seker Spor) open up a one minute 29 second winning margin over Alexandr Dyachenko (Astana).
Gabrovski went on to win the race but subsequently tested positive for EPO and was disqualified. That hasn’t deterred the organisers from including the climb again in 2013, according to Cyclismactu. Given its difficultly, it could well determine the final victor.
The event is ranked 2.HC and is used by some riders in the buildup to the Giro d’Italia. Last year’s stage winners were Theo Bos (Rabobank), Andre Greipel (Lotto Belisol), Dyachenko, Mark Renshaw (Rabobank), Andrea di Corrado (Colnago CSF Bardiani), Sacha Modolo (Colnago CSF Bardiani) and Iljo Keisse (Omega Pharma Quick Step).