Eight days from Antalya to Izmir, along stunning coastlines and across breathtaking mountains. The team came in with high expectations. In previous years, BIKE AID had always left its mark at the Tour of Türkiye.
In 2022, Dawit Yemane finished seventh overall. BIKE AID narrowly missed the team classification victory by just 21 seconds. In 2024, the team won two of the four classification jerseys, with Vinzent Dorn claiming both the mountains and intermediate sprint jerseys. BIKE AID was constantly in the spotlight, featured on TV and on the podium nearly every day.
In 2025, Vinzent Dorn continued where he left off. He took the mountain jersey again on Stage 2 and defended it on Stage 3. Then it was time for the team’s climbers to shine. Summit finishes awaited on Stages 4 and 6. Dawit Yemane and Oliver Mattheis, who had already finished third overall at the 2025 Tour du Rwanda, were in great form. So was Anton Schiffer, who had just placed second overall at the Tour of Hellas.
But things took a different turn. Stage 4 was hit by severe weather, leading to numerous crashes in the mountains. Anton Schiffer went down and had to be taken to hospital. On Stage 6, both Antoine Berlin and Dawit Yemane crashed as well. Three of our riders in the hospital during one race, something we had never experienced before. The team was heavily impacted, and big results in the general classification were no longer within reach.
And yet, the remaining four riders, Leo Bouvier, Milkias Maekele, Oliver Mattheis, and Vinzent Dorn, did not give up. The team rode aggressively, featured in key breakaways on 5 of the 8 stages, and animated the race all the way to the final day.
Over the years, we’ve had the chance to experience Türkiye through many different races. And every trip is worth it. A vast country rich in culture and history, with untouched natural landscapes in its interior and warm-hearted people whose encounters bring us joy time and again.
Taking part in a race like this requires tremendous logistical and financial effort. A total of 15 people were on duty for BIKE AID during the Tour of Türkiye: 7 riders, 2 sports directors, 2 mechanics, 2 physiotherapists, 1 photographer, and 1 videographer.
The support staff work tirelessly from early morning until late at night, ensuring that the riders can focus entirely on their performance. All equipment must be packed and flown to the race venue. On site, the organizer provides each team with two fully customized team cars, shuttle buses, and interpreters.
When our riders were hospitalized, the event organizers offered us 24/7 support and took exceptional care of our injured athletes. It was a gesture of professionalism and empathy that we deeply appreciated.
French filmmaker Maxime Papon accompanied us on our journey through Türkiye and captured it all on camera. Watch the video to see what it truly means for a Continental team to take part in a race of this magnitude.
