THE EXPECTED STANDINGS ON THE FIRST DAY
Stage 1: Report & Results
Sunday, August 27, 2023

The first Stage of the race started in the fine morning weather at 9:00 a.m. local time in Tabriz . Some 62 cyclists from 11 teams started the race, 154 km, from the beautiful Shahgoli Park in Tabriz toward Urmia, the capital city in the West Azerbaijan Province. The gentle autumn wind in the mountainous region in Azerbaijan and the sun were in favor of the competitors. The 154 km road stretched through a mild slope until Azarshar and the flat plain toward the Islamic Island and the road through the Urmia Lake. As the race continued toward the Sprint line at 35 km point, the peloton dispersed in two groups. Mehdi SOHRABI (121, PROJECT, IRAQ), Jacob BUIJK (92, Universe, Netherlands) and Bahnam Khalili Khosrovshahi (131, IRI) suddenly rushed ahead of the peloton. At the 105 km., Khalili Khosrovshahi was replaced by Coltunov Vladmir (113, VSM). However, the peloton formed up again at the 130 km point of the race and it continued to the finish line. The overall results were achieved as following:
Stage 1, Individaul Classification
CARSTENSEN Lucas (62, ROJAI Online Insurance, Thailand)
STRAVERS Jarri  (92, UNIVERSE Cycling Team, Netherlands)
BOLGLAS Georgios (71, MATRIX POWERTAG, Japan) 
Yellow Jersey:
CARSTENSEN Lucas (62, ROOJAI, Thailand)
Best Climbers’ Classification (Red Polka dotted Jersey):
Jacob  BUIJK (92, Universe, Netherlands)
Mehdi SOHRABI (121, PROJECT, IRAQ)
Bahnam Khalili Khosrovshahi (131, IRI)
Best Sprinters’ Classification (Green Jersey)
SOHRABI Mehdi (121, PROJECT, IRAQ)
BUIJK Jacob, (92, UNI)
Coltunov Vladmir (113, VSM)
Best Young Riders (White Jersey)
KOLTUNOV Alexandr (113, Victoria, the Philippines) 
The cyclists and the whole people accompanying the tour had a lunch in Urmia and then returned to Tabriz by the busses provided for them. The 2nd stage will start from Tabriz to Jolfa at 9:00 a.m. local time on Monday, August 28, 2023.
Written by: Abdullah Bageri Hamidi