Quick answer
The UCI Gran Fondo World Series Antalya runs over four days, 5–8 November 2026, based at The Land of Legends near Belek. The time trial is on Friday 6 November and the road races start on Sunday 8 November (long course 10:00, short course 10:30). The organisers put the airport about 25 km away, or 25–30 minutes by taxi. Staying in Belek or Kadriye keeps race mornings simple; the main travel question is how you move a bike box from the airport.
This guide is about the trip around the race: the programme, where to base yourself, how to move a bike and luggage, and what the people travelling with you can do. For registration, race rules and categories, the organiser’s website is the reference, and we link to it throughout.
The Race Week Programme
| Day | Key times from the official programme |
|---|---|
| Thursday 5 Nov | Event village open 10:00–20:00; race kit collection 14:00–20:00; time-trial technical meeting 17:00–18:00 |
| Friday 6 Nov | Time trial 10:00–15:00 on the Turizm Yolu near The Land of Legends; Gran Fondo kit collection 10:00–20:00; TT awards 17:00; welcome banquet 19:00 |
| Saturday 7 Nov | Kit collection 10:00–20:00; Gran Fondo technical meeting 17:00–18:00; parade of nations 19:00; concert 20:00 |
| Sunday 8 Nov | Long course start 10:00; short course start 10:30; COP31 awareness ride 10:45; awards 15:00; closing party 18:00 |
The organisers list three races: a 20 km time trial (about 8 m of climbing), a 73 km short course (about 285 m) and a 105 km long course (about 658 m), with a route that passes Aspendos. Categories and World Championship qualification rules are on ucigfantalya.com and the UCI Gran Fondo World Series event page. Check them again before you travel, as times can change.
Flying In With a Bike
- Book the bike as sports equipment with the airline when you buy the ticket. Weight limits, box sizes and fees differ by airline and change often, so check your own airline’s rules.
- Bike boxes come out at oversized baggage, not on the normal belt. Allow extra time on arrival.
- A standard taxi is not built for a bike box. A hard case plus suitcases usually needs a minivan. Confirm the vehicle for your exact luggage before you land.
- Not bringing a bike? The organisers advertise a pre-booked bike rental service. Book it early and confirm size and pedal type.
Where to Stay
Belek and Kadriye are the practical choice. The Land of Legends sits on the Kadriye side of Belek, and the organisers say the time-trial start is about a 10-minute ride from the venue and nearby partner hotels. The organisers also recommend a list of partner hotels with cycling-friendly services; you’ll find it on their Hotels page. If you book elsewhere, ask the hotel where you can build, store and wash your bike, and check it is fully open in November. See our Belek hotels guide.
Lara is the next option, on the airport side of Antalya. Antalya city centre suits supporters who want restaurants and evenings out, but means a longer drive on race days.
One timing note: IRONMAN 70.3 Türkiye is raced in Belek the Sunday before, on 1 November (see our IRONMAN 70.3 Türkiye travel guide), and COP31, the UN climate conference, opens in Antalya on 9 November, the day after the race. Expect a busier airport and firmer hotel prices from that weekend, and book early if you are staying on.
How to Get There
The organisers put Antalya Airport about 25 km from The Land of Legends, or 25–30 minutes by taxi, and note there is no direct public transport from the airport to Belek. They also offer their own transfer options, which you can book with your race registration. Our Antalya Airport to Belek transfer guide compares taxis, shuttles and private transfers on this route. If you’d like a quote from us as well, request one on WhatsApp; we’ll check a vehicle that fits your bikes and bags for your date before anything is booked.
On time-trial day the organisers plan a shuttle between The Land of Legends and the TT area for supporters, and there is parking near the course.
Riding in Antalya in Early November
Early November is usually mild on the coast, with pleasant daytime temperatures for riding and cool mornings. It is also the start of the wetter season, so pack a light rain layer and arm warmers. The sun sets around 17:50 in early November, so plan any shake-out rides for the morning or early afternoon. More in our Antalya in November guide.
For Supporters
The race village runs a four-day programme of stage shows, concerts and free fun races, so supporters have plenty to do between starts and finishes. Check Land of Legends opening days in November if you also want the theme park itself, since some attractions run on seasonal schedules. On the days either side, Aspendos and Side are both east of Belek; our things to do in Belek guide lists nearby options.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the UCI Gran Fondo Antalya 2026?
The event runs 5–8 November 2026. The time trial is on 6 November and the road races start on 8 November.
Where does the race start?
At The Land of Legends near Belek, about 25 km from Antalya Airport according to the organisers.
Can a normal taxi take my bike box?
Often not with suitcases as well. Arrange a minivan in advance and give the exact number of bike boxes and bags.
Where should I stay for the race?
Belek or Kadriye, close to the start and the time-trial course. Lara is a reasonable second choice.
📝 A Local’s Note
The roads around Belek are busy with golf and hotel traffic in the mornings. For warm-up rides, stick to the routes your hotel or the organisers recommend rather than the main D400 highway.
Keep your hotel’s name written in Turkish on your phone; several Belek resorts have sister hotels with very similar names.
🚴 Need a transfer with room for bikes?
Send your dates, number of riders, bike boxes and suitcases. We’ll check a suitable vehicle for your date and reply with a quote.
🛡️ Operated with our TÜRSAB-licensed partner Sun Global Turizm (licence no. 11308)
💬 Check Availability on WhatsAppDates, programme, courses and transport notes checked on 30 September 2026 against the organiser’s website (ucigfantalya.com: home page, Programme and Transport Guide). Antalya Experiences is not affiliated with the organisers. The cover photo is a representative stock image (Pexels), not a photo of this event.
Page last updated: October 2026