Switzerland’s Alexandre Balmer leads Tour of Armenia after two stages

The international multi-stage cycling race Tour of Armenia, which is part of the UCI Europe Tour calendar, continues in Armenia. After two stages, Swiss cyclist Alexandre Balmer, representing Solution Tech–Nippo–Rali, leads the general classification.

The second stage of the race was held on the Kirants — Stepanavan route, covering approximately 177 km. The total elevation gain on the course was around 2,400 meters.

The intermediate sprint was located at the 61.4 km mark. The riders faced their first major climb near Lermontovo, at an altitude of 1,869 meters above sea level, at 81.5 km into the stage. The next climbs came at Odzun, at the 141 km mark, and Mghart, at 153.5 km. After the final climb, 23.5 km remained to the finish in Stepanavan.

The opening stage of the Tour of Armenia took place on September 10. The riders started in Gavar and finished in Mets Masrik, covering 135 km along the shores of Lake Sevan.

Tour of Armenia is being held as a UCI 2.2-category event. The inaugural international stage race consists of four stages with a total distance of 587 km and approximately 5,300 meters of elevation gain.

The race route passes through the Gegharkunik, Tavush, Lori and Aragatsotn regions, while the final stage will be held in Yerevan on September 13. On September 12, the riders will compete on the Martuni — Dilijan/Parz Lake stage.

The event is also receiving broad international television coverage. Tour of Armenia is being broadcast on several major platforms, including HBO Max, Disney+, ESPN, FloSports, Okko, SBS, SPOTV and Zhibo TV.

Armenia’s Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Zhanna Andreasyan, described the organization of an event of this level as important both for the development of Armenian sport and for increasing the country’s international visibility.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also highlighted the tourism potential of the cycling race. According to him, television viewers see not only the sporting competition but also Armenia’s landscapes, settlements, historical monuments and roads. Pashinyan expressed the view that Tour of Armenia should become an annual event.

After two stages, Swiss rider Alexandre Balmer of Solution Tech–Nippo–Rali remains the leader of the general classification and the main contender for overall victory ahead of the remaining stages.