Tour of Armenia to Make Its Debut with Support from the Organizers of the Giro d’Italia

This September, Armenia will host a new international stage race — the Tour of Armenia. The inaugural edition will take place from September 10 to 13 and has already been added to the UCI Europe Tour calendar. Armenian government bodies and the national cycling federation are involved in organizing the project, with expert support provided by RCS Sport and Dubai-based Events DMCC.

The new race is expected to become more than just a sporting event for Armenia. It will also provide an opportunity to showcase the country to an international audience through professional cycling and sports tourism.

Giro d’Italia Organizers Join the New Project

One of the partners of the Tour of Armenia is RCS Sport, a company with extensive experience in organizing some of the world’s biggest cycling events. It is the organizer of the famous Giro d’Italia stage race, as well as prestigious one-day races such as Milan–San Remo.

Another participant in the project is Events DMCC, an international company based in Dubai that specializes in organizing large-scale events.

The first Tour of Armenia is being organized directly by the Armenian government and the Cycling Federation of Armenia.

The new race has been awarded UCI 2.2 status, placing it on the European calendar of the Union Cycliste Internationale.

Four Days of Racing Across Armenia

The inaugural Tour of Armenia will feature four days of racing. The route will pass through several regions of the country, including Gegharkunik, Tavush, Lori and Aragatsotn. The final kilometers of the stage race will bring the riders to the Armenian capital, Yerevan.

Organizers hope the event will not be limited to a single edition. The Cycling Federation of Armenia intends to turn the race into an annual international event.

One of the project’s key objectives is to strengthen Armenia’s reputation as a country capable of hosting international-level sporting events. At the same time, the stage race is expected to support the development of professional sport, attract international participants and promote sports tourism.

Opening Stage Could Favor the Sprinters

The Tour of Armenia will begin on Thursday, September 10. Riders will cover approximately 135 kilometers on the way to Mets Masrik.

From a terrain perspective, the opening day appears relatively comfortable, with around 450 meters of total elevation gain. Such a profile increases the likelihood that the battle for victory on the first stage will come down to the fastest riders and end in a bunch sprint.

At the same time, the route is expected to be one of the most visually impressive from a tourism perspective. A significant part of the course will run around Lake Sevan, one of Armenia’s best-known natural attractions.

Located high in the mountains, Sevan is the largest lake in the country. With the race route running along its shores, television coverage and photographs from the event could provide additional international exposure for Armenia.

Climbers Will Have Their Opportunities Too

Despite the relatively gentle profile of the opening stage, Armenia’s geography gives organizers the opportunity to offer riders much tougher challenges over the following days.

The multi-day format and a route passing through several mountainous regions suggest that sprinting speed alone will not be enough to fight for the general classification. Riders specializing in climbing should also have opportunities to make an impact.

The inaugural Tour of Armenia is therefore expected to combine sporting competition with a showcase of the country’s natural landscapes. For Armenia, the new race could become an important step toward establishing a more prominent presence in international cycling.

If the first edition proves successful, the race will have an opportunity to establish itself on the UCI calendar and, over time, attract stronger teams and well-known riders. September will reveal what the opening chapter of Armenia’s new stage race will look like.