Five Greek national cycling champions from 2026, holders of nine national titles between them, will line up alongside around 70 other riders on Sunday, September 6, for the start of the "Cycling for All - Velouchi Climb," a race finishing at an altitude of 1,858 metres in central Greece.
Eleftheria Giachou, Alexandros Athanasiadis, Giorgos Kousis, Miltiadis Giannoutsos and Eleftherios Apostolopoulos will race alongside dozens of professional and amateur cyclists on what organisers call one of the most demanding climbs in Greek cycling.
The event is the centrepiece of Cycling Greece's programme of activities for September. The Organising Committee for the DEI Tour of Hellas, which operates under Greece's Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, has continued its work since the international 2026 Tour concluded, running initiatives aimed at developing cycling, improving road safety, promoting sustainable mobility and connecting the sport with local communities.
Beyond organising the DEI Tour of Hellas itself, the committee's goals include boosting sports tourism, widening public participation in sports activities and promoting safe bicycle use.
This year's climb revives one of the Tour of Hellas's signature images. In 2024, the summit of Mount Velouchi hosted the finish of the Tour's third, "royal" stage, one of the race's most demanding and spectacular routes. Two years on, Cycling Greece is returning to the same summit, this time for a participatory event bringing together champions, professional athletes and amateur riders.
Karpenisi cycling weekend
Activities in the Evrytania region begin on Saturday, September 5, at the Traffic Education Park run by the Municipality of Karpenisi. The programme is aimed at children and covers traffic education, proper bicycle use and safe behaviour on the road.
The two-day event concludes on Sunday, September 6, with the Velouchi Climb finishing at 1,858 metres.
Children's event in Agia
A separate programme opens on Thursday, September 3, from 11:00 to 20:00, at the town hall square in Agia.
Children will ride their bicycles around a specially designed skills course dedicated to the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals. They will also be briefed on the blind spots of large vehicles, the risks cyclists face on the road, basic rules for safe traffic behaviour and the benefits of exercise and sustainable transport.
Rafina hosts family cycling day
On Sunday, September 13, the activities move to Karamanlis Park in the Municipality of Rafina for another programme aimed at children and families.
The goal is to familiarise children with bicycles and encourage proper road behaviour. Participants will receive educational material with guidance on safe bicycle use and information on the benefits of cycling.
Cycling Greece at the Thessaloniki International Fair
From September 5 to 13, Cycling Greece will take part in the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair, at the pavilion of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports.
Visitors will be able to learn about the Organising Committee's work, its activities across the country and the progress of the DEI Tour of Hellas.
In 2026 alone, as part of the Tour's parallel and lead-up activities, 370 actions were carried out over 90 days, including 34 school visits involving more than 10,000 students.
September's programme is being run in cooperation with the Municipality of Agia and the Region of Thessaly, the Municipality of Karpenisi and the Region of Central Greece, and the Municipality of Rafina, with support from Cycling Greece's sponsors and partners.
