Greece’s Cycling Tour 2024 to Start in Thessaloniki, Finish in Athens

DEI International Tour of Hellas 202. Photo by Petros Gkotsis

Athens for the first time will serve as the finish line for the “DEI International Cycling Tour of Greece” bicycle race, taking place in May, according to an announcement by the Municipality of Athens.

The 820-kilometer race will begin in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, on May 15 with cyclists expected to cross the finish line four days later in Athens on May 19.

This is the first time in the history of the event that the race will “unite” the two major urban centers of Greece, starting from Thessaloniki and ending in Athens, after crossing the country from north to south.

Details about the race were discussed between Greek Sports Deputy Minister Giannis Vroutsis and Athens Mayor Haris Doukas. During a meeting in Athens, the minister gave a bicycle and a helmet to the mayor as a way of “sealing” the cooperation with the municipality for this year’s edition of the cycling tour.

Greek Sports Deputy Minister Giannis Vroutsis and Athens Mayor Haris Doukas. Photo source: Sports Ministry

“I welcome the mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, as an institutional co-organizer of the huge event, the DEH International Cycling Tour of Greece, with a symbolic gift, a bicycle, and of course the necessary helmet, as our priorities are sustainable development and road safety,” Vroutsis said.

Thanking the deputy minister, Mayor Doukas commented that the gift “fits perfectly” with the municipality’s approach for a green, citizen-friendly, bicycle-friendly Athens.

“We believe that this leading sporting event is a great upgrade for our country and it is a big honor for it to finish up in our city, Athens,” he said.

Athens will shine at the finish line

The Panathenaic Stadium or Kallimarmaro.

During the DEH International Cycling Tour of Greece 2024, the cultural heritage and modern Athens will be broadcast live to millions of people around the world, promoting both the race and the whole country as a tourism destination. Athens will star in the 5th and last stage of this year’s tour.

The race will end on Sunday, May 19, in a route that will start from the Acropolis, continue towards the Athenian Riviera and return in the city center to finish at the Kallimarmaro Panathenaic Stadium.

According to the city’s mayor, many events and activities will be organized in Athens for visitors and residents.

“We will do our best to welcome the cyclists,” Mayor Doukas said.

The DEI International Tour of Hellas 2024

DEI International Tour of Hellas 2023. Photo by Petros Gkotsis

The DEI International Tour of Hellas 2024 bicycle race will take place from May 15 to 19, following its return in 2022.

The event will be organized by the Greek Sports Ministry in collaboration with Cycling Greece and the Region of Central Greece. The Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) is a grand sponsor of the race.

The tour consists of an individual time trial and five stages that will take riders through the cities of Katerini, Karditsa, Karpenissi, Spercheiada, and Chalkida. This year’s tour will also include a “royal” finishing stage at Velouchi at 1,852 meters altitude.

ΔΕΗ International Tour of Hellas 2023. Photo by Nassos Triantafyllou

Additionally, it will also feature several side activities for cycling fans of all ages to spread awareness about the sport and promote bikes as an alternative means of transportation. The tour will see the participation of 120 athletes, representing 20 cycling teams including the national teams of Greece and Cyprus.

“We want the event to succeed for many national reasons: sports, tourism, culture, extroversion, and strengthening local communities economically,” said Vroutsis.