Four stages, 587 km, 5,300 meters of elevation gain and a country waiting to be discovered. From September 10-13, the cycling world welcomes the Tour of Armenia, a new 2.2 race added this season to the UCI Europe Tour calendar. The event is organized by the Armenian Government and the Armenian Cycling Federation with the technical consultation and expertise of Rcs Sports and Events DMCC.

The Tour of Armenia is a cycling race where it will be possible to admire many emerging talents of the pedal, alongside the beauties of the territory. The race will traverse the regions of Gegharkunik, Tavush, Lori and Aragatsotn, closing in the capital of Yerevan. The Armenian Cycling Federation, in concert with the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of the Republic of Armenia, has been working for several years to promote a discipline that is rapidly expanding and aims to transform this event into a permanent annual fixture on the calendar.

The event aims to strengthen Armenia's position as a reliable and attractive location for hosting international sporting events, while promoting the development of professional sport and sports tourism in the country.

Stage 1: Gavar-Mets Masrik (135 km, 450 meters of elevation gain)

The inaugural stage, scheduled for Thursday, September 10, will start from Gavar, the capital of the Gegharkunik region, to Mets Masrik: 135 km with 450 meters of elevation gain that should favor the fast wheels. The route will skirt the splendid Lake Sevan, the largest in the country and also the second highest lake in the world after Lake Titicaca in Peru: it is also called the "sea of Armenia" because it is perfect for swimming and a highly sought-after destination for tourists and locals.

Stage 2: Kirants-Stepanavan (177 km, 2,400 meters of elevation gain)
The climbing begins instead in the second stage from Kirants to Stepanavan, with 2,400 meters of elevation gain over the 177 km planned. Starting from the tiny village in the Tavush region famous for its 7th-century Monastery and arriving in the mountain town famous for its splendid basalt plateau and its unique Dendropark in all of the southern Caucasus, for its forest transformed into a living botanical garden.

Stage 3: Martuni-Dilijan (Lake Parz) (162 km, 1,700 meters of elevation gain)

Also very suggestive is the third day of racing with the start from Martuni, the ancient capital of the Gegharkunik region and the uphill finish located in Dilijan for another 162 km with 1,700 meters of elevation gain. Three categorized climbs in total that could shake up the general classification in a stage that will skirt the western shore of Lake Sevan arriving at Lake Parz, a small mountain lake located a few kilometers from the town center of Dilijan.

Stage 4: Yerevan-Yerevan (113 km, 750 meters of elevation gain)

Then, the grand finale, which will crown the first winner of the Tour of Armenia. On Sunday, September 13, riders will face a city circuit in the capital of Yerevan with the finish expected after 113 km and 750 meters of elevation gain. The cathedral dedicated to Saint Gregory the Illuminator, the Vernissage (antique and craft market), the Blue Mosque and Republic Square are just some of the gems that can be admired in Armenia's largest city, along with the many gastronomic delicacies that can be tasted in the numerous venues in the city center.

The official website of the event: tour-of-armenia.com