Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attended the final awards ceremony of the Tour of Armenia international multi-stage cycling race.
Italy’s professional cyclist Simone Raccani, representing Team Ukyo, took first place in the overall classification. He was presented with the award by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The Italian cyclist was also awarded the title of Tour of Armenia winner, with the prize likewise presented by Nikol Pashinyan.
Denmark’s Kevin Vauquelin finished second in the overall classification. He was presented with his award by Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan.
Italy’s Luca Covili, representing the Bardiani CSF 7 Saber team, finished third in the overall classification. He was presented with his award by Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan.
The Czech team ATT Investments was named the best team of the tournament. The award was presented by Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan.
The fourth and final stage of the Tour of Armenia was held in Yerevan. The cyclists competed on a 9.4-kilometer urban circuit, completing 10 laps. The total distance of the stage was 94 kilometers.
Italy’s Michele Gazzoli was named the winner of the fourth stage. He received his award from Ara Sadoyan, President of the Cycling Federation of Armenia.
Leonardo Vesco of Italy won the mountain classification, earning the blue jersey as the “King of the Mountains.” The award was presented by Luca Guercilena, Chief Operating Officer and Cycling Director of RC Sports & Events.
Kevin Vauquelin of Denmark won the best young cyclist classification and was awarded the white jersey. The award was presented by Olympic champion and former Spanish professional cyclist Samuel Sánchez.
Following the awards
ceremony, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan delivered a speech, welcomed those present and congratulated the organizers on the successful staging of the first Tour of Armenia.
“The phrase ‘first tournament’ already suggests that we will have a second, third and fourth, and hopefully, ongoing tournaments in the future. I must say that this is truly a new experience for the Republic of Armenia. It is a new experience in every sense. To be honest, I do not recall an international cycling tournament of this kind having been held in the Republic of Armenia, at least since independence,” Nikol Pashinyan said.
In his remarks, the Prime Minister thanked the international partners who had responded to Armenia’s interest and made every effort to ensure that the tournament was organized at a high level.
Nikol Pashinyan also thanked the state and local self-government bodies of the Republic of Armenia for their significant support in ensuring that the tournament was held to an appropriate standard.
“Of course, this tournament, which has been broadcast internationally by around a dozen television networks, unequivocally raises Armenia’s visibility and level of recognition and will undoubtedly generate greater interest in the Republic of Armenia, which already receives very significant tourist flows today. I am convinced that this tournament will further increase interest in the Republic of Armenia,” the Prime Minister said.
Nikol Pashinyan also highlighted the growing interest in healthy lifestyles, eco-friendly transport and cycling as another important objective.
“I am convinced that many of our children watched our cyclists yesterday and in the preceding days with great admiration,” he said.
Addressing Armenia’s international ties and partnerships, the Prime Minister said: “It is very important that we are also establishing international partnerships through initiatives of this kind. I believe it is no coincidence that this tournament is taking place specifically in 2026. This is another very bright and eloquent testimony to the peace established in Armenia and the region.”
“This tournament, as well as our decision to ensure its continuation, will also provide a new impetus to the development of professional and amateur cycling in Armenia,” the Prime Minister said.
Nikol Pashinyan once again congratulated all participants and winners of the tournament, as well as the athlete who received the main prize, adding:
“I hope that next year we will conclude the Tour of Armenia professional cycling tournament at an even higher level, with greater enthusiasm and greater achievements.”
The cycling race began on September 10 in Gavar, the administrative center of Armenia’s Gegharkunik Province. The first day’s route ended in Mets Masrik, running along the shores of Lake Sevan and covering a total distance of 135 kilometers. On the first day, Mikhál Pomorski of ATT Investments was the first to cross the finish line, with an average speed of 52.331 km/h, becoming the winner of the opening stage.
On the second day of the race, cyclists representing 16 teams from around the world completed a route of approximately 177 kilometers from Kirants to Stepanavan. Italian cyclist Federico Iacomoni of Team Ukyo was the first to cross the finish line, edging out Leonardo Vesco of Biesse-Carrera-Premac by just a few millimeters after a hard-fought battle. He completed the route at an average speed of 40.882 km/h in 4 hours, 19 minutes and 46 seconds.
Victory in the third stage, from Martuni to Dilijan/Parz Lake, went to Max Hinds of the Netcompany Ineos Racing Academy team. He completed the 162-kilometer route in 3 hours, 40 minutes and 24 seconds at an average speed of 44.101 km/h, earning a 12-second time bonus. The total elevation gain during the third stage was 1,700 meters. The stage started in Martuni, with the cyclists passing through Gegharkunik, Kotayk and Tavush provinces.
The stage winner, as well as the leaders in the various classifications, received their awards from Samuel Sánchez, champion of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the official ambassador of the first-ever Tour of Armenia held in Armenia.
The leaders of the race’s various classifications received four distinctive jerseys designed by Alé Cycling, incorporating Armenian symbols and cultural motifs into their designs.
Among the 16 participating teams was also a team representing Armenia. Over the course of the four days, the cyclists covered a total distance of more than 500 kilometers.
Source: First Channel News of RA
