If you’ve been watching the Tour de France in recent years, you may have noticed something curious at nearly every stage finish: a Turkish flag waving proudly in the background as the riders cross the line. It’s hard to miss: red featuring a white crescent and star, bold, and unmistakable amid the sea of international fans. Whether the stage ends on a mountaintop or in a bustling French town, there it is again, swaying behind the barriers, camera-perfect. For some, it’s a familiar sight. For others, it sparks confusion-and even a bit of intrigue.
Over time, this recurring appearance has stirred questions online and in cycling forums. Is there a Turkish rider in the race? Is it a political message? Some even suggest that the Turkish government might be sponsoring the appearances, planting flags to boost national visibility on the global stage. But the truth is far more personal, unexpected, and even a little heartwarming. Here’s the real story behind the Turkish flag that keeps popping up at the Tour de France.
Ahmet Mumcu: The Man Behind the Waving Turkish Flag at the Tour de France Stage Finishes
The man behind the waving Turkish flag at the Tour de France stage finishes is not a paid plant or a political message. He’s a passionate cycling fan and former athlete from Turkey named Ahmet Mumcu-and he’s made it his mission to follow the Tour and represent Turkish cycling fans in a unique and visible way.
The Tour de France: A Dream 20 Years in the Making
Ahmet Mumcu has been devoted to cycling for decades. In fact, long before Turkish-language Eurosport broadcasts began around 20 years ago, viewers frequently asked: “Has a Turkish cyclist ever raced in the Tour de France?” The usual answer was a disappointing “No.” No Turkish rider had competed in the Grand Tours-neither in France, nor in Italy or Spain. That answer hasn’t changed, but today there’s something new to say: “A former Turkish cyclist has followed the Tour de France from start to finish.” And as far as we know, that’s a first.
“I’m not sure if I’m really the first,” Mumcu says modestly. “But I’ve never heard of anyone from Turkey following the Tour all the way from beginning to end.” His connection to the race dates back decades. In 1996, while living in Germany, he traveled to see three stages in person. One of the most memorable moments was on the legendary Col du Galibier.
“At 2,640 meters, the views were incredible. You could see 10-15 kilometers down the valley. We were all waiting there-people had already set up caravans and camps.” But snow forced organizers to shorten the stage the next day. “I got on my bike and rode to Sestriere. That was the day Miguel Indurain’s five-year winning streak came to an end. He lost to Bjarne Riis. A historic day.”
From that moment on, Mumcu dreamed of following the entire Tour. He finally made it happen in 2023-and hasn’t missed a Tour since.
Chasing the Tour-with a Flag and a Mission
Before the 2023 Tour began, Ahmet Mumcu made an unusual decision: he bought a motorcycle-even though he didn’t have a license yet. He practiced through the winter, earned his license, and began his journey from Istanbul on June 22. Crossing through Greece, Italy, and southern France, he arrived in Bilbao, Spain-the 2023 Tour’s Grand Départ-just in time for the start on June 29.
But Mumcu wasn’t just chasing his dream. He was carrying something more symbolic: a Turkish flag. Not to make a political statement, but to quietly, proudly represent the people in Turkey who love the sport but have little opportunity to participate at the elite level.
“I’ve spent nearly 30 years cycling all around the world,” Mumcu explains. “That experience taught me to respect all flags equally. I consider myself a ‘citizen of the world’ in that sense. But I also belong to a country, and I love it. At cycling races, people proudly show up with their national flags. The Basque Country was covered in flags this year. Colombians, Slovenians, Italians-you name it. So I thought, why not us?”
“There are people in Turkey who follow this sport, who love it, and who want to race, but they can’t-because the conditions just aren’t there. I brought the flag to represent those Turkish cycling fans.”
Not Just a Spectator-A Strategist
Mumcu’s flag waving isn’t random. With years of experience, he has developed a keen eye for how to get into the right position-on the correct side of the finish, within the field of camera view, and without interfering with race operations.
“When you’ve done this for a while, you learn where to stand. You figure out where the cameras are, how the riders will come into the final corner. One side of the road is for race officials and staff-you have to be on the other. Messages from friends in Turkey also helped a lot in finding good locations.”
For the past three years-2023, 2024, and now 2025-Ahmet Mumcu has appeared at the finish lines of nearly every Tour de France stage, waving the Turkish flag. It’s not always easy. It means long hours on the road, tough terrain, unpredictable weather, and relentless logistics. But for Mumcu, it’s a labor of love-and a form of representation.
A Flag for the Future
Ahmet Mumcu’s presence has made an impact not just on Turkish viewers, but on cycling fans around the world. His quiet but powerful visibility sends a message: Turkey may not yet have a rider in the Tour, but its cycling community is watching, dreaming, and-thanks to people like Mumcu-being seen.
He’s not sponsored. He’s not famous. He’s not part of any campaign. But in his own way, he’s become a recognizable part of the world’s biggest cycling race.
So, the next time you spot a Turkish flag waving at a Tour de France finish, know that it’s not a mystery-it’s Ahmet Mumcu, a true fan, a world cyclist, and a quiet ambassador for Turkish cycling dreams.
