Turkey’s governor of Ardahan, a mountainous province bordering Georgia and Armenia, was removed from office on Friday 17 July 2026 in a presidential decree signed by Recep Tayyip Erdogan after images of him cycling in fitted Lycra kit triggered weeks of political backlash—despite his role as the driving force behind the province’s push to become a cycling destination.

Provincial governor Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli, a very fit 50-year-old, was dismissed after photographs of him cycling in bib tights went viral and sparked a heated political controversy. He was replaced by Omer Hilmi Yamli, previously district governor of Gaziantep’s Sehitkamil district.

The photographs that ignited the row were taken during the Ardahan Bisiklet Festivali, held from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 July. The three-day festival was launched on Çiçekli’s initiative and featured an opening stage from Ardahan University’s campus to the district of Hanak, followed by a second stage along the Damal Ataturk Silhouette route, attracting riders from across Turkey.

Far from being a ceremonial figurehead, Çiçekli was frequently out riding with participants and was personally involved in almost every aspect of the festival’s organization, including arranging free bicycle transport for riders aboard the Ankara-Kars Doğu Ekspresi train. He was also a regular presence at other cycling events this year, joining officials on a Posof Tourism Week ride and a tourism promotion ride in Ardahan.

Opposition MP Inan Akgun Alp told parliament that Çiçekli spent his days riding around in cycling tights with bodyguards accompanying him, arguing that a governor should not appear in public dressed that way. The exchange escalated into a shouting match on the assembly floor, forcing the deputy speaker to intervene as referee.

Çiçekli defended himself, describing his cycling abilities as “near-professional”, insisting the cycling kit was simply his early-morning training attire and not clothing he wore while carrying out his official duties.

A petition calling for his reinstatement has gathered nearly 10,000 signatures, crediting his tenure with a 30% increase in youth sports participation and new bicycle lane projects. On his final day in office, a group of local cyclists accompanied him as he departed the governor’s office.

Photo Credit: Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli

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