Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey

Sport Director, Massimo Podenzana (ITA)

‘’It has been a stressful start of the Tour, with unexpected cold weather and the snowstorm that hit us at Nevsehir causing the initial cancellation of Stage 1. It’s a shame we couldn’t go through the original route but we’re happy to have raced in the end here at Konya.”

”The guys did well, maintaining their positions within the peloton and keeping up with the increase pace in the final 20km. We expected a fast final sprint and Andrea had good chances to position himself well. And so he did, with the support of his teammates who showed good teamwork and helped him finishing among the top 15.”

Andrea Peron (ITA)

”It was a fast stage, with some snow at the beginning but less wind than what we expected. I was aiming at the final sprint, and with the help of my teammates I’ve been able to be at the very front in the last 10km.”

”The crash at 1.5km to go made me lose a few positions, but I’m happy with our performance today; a good start that brings the motivation up for stage 2 tomorrow!’’

Sport Director, Massimo Podenzana (ITA)

“It was another cold day here in Turkey with 145km to race and the first part of the stage all uphill. The last 50km were the same as yesterday and our strategy was to have the team working for Andrea to protect him and bring him towards the final sprint.”

“The boys did very well, they have been in the front working together and I am happy with their performance.”

Umberto Poli (ITA)

“Today it was quite a nervous stage, with lots of crashes from the very beginning. The first part of the race was all uphill and the pace of the peloton was quite fast. We have been all working together to support Andrea, our sprinter, and keep him on the front of the bunch.”

“At five km to go Andrea and I were well positioned but there was another crash which split us, and we lost some positions. Andrea got another top 20 though, which is good and keep us motivated for the next stage.”

Sport Director, Massimo Podenzana (ITA)

“Today we had an early start with the longest stage of this tour ahead of us: 213km starting at altitude with two climbs of 3^rd and 2^nd category in the first 100km, and all the way down towards the coast with another fast finish.

We wanted the guys to protect Andrea but also to go for a break, if there was a chance. Umberto has been good in waiting for the right moment and join the other three riders in what he has been up front showing our jersey for 150km.

The rest of the group worked for Andrea. The last 10 kilometers were very nervous, and Andrea tried to keep a good position for the final sprint, but he was hard being solo and he had to settle for the top30.”

Umberto Poli (ITA)

“Stage 3 was long but a beautiful one with the weather finally on our side. There were a few attacks at the beginning, but they all got stopped by the group. When I saw one guy going, I thought that could be a good opportunity and I went for it.

We worked well together as a group, but we knew the peloton was coming for us in the final 20km. It has been good to be up there, I enjoyed every moment of it. Now time to recover and get ready for tomorrow’s stage.”

Sport Director, Massimo Podenzana (ITA)

“Today stage was a flat one, with a lot of attacks at the start until after 30km three riders made it into the breakaway of the day and got caught by the bunch 10km from the finish.”

“Our team worked well for Peron trying to get him in a good position for the sprint. At 150 meters from the finish there was a big crash and Andrea was also involved, fortunately without consequences.”

Logan Phippen (USA)

“Today was another great effort by the team, and I feel like each day we are getting better and better at cooperating and executing our tactics.“

Personally, I am feeling very well and today it is probably the best I felt this whole week. So, we’ll just keep the level, stepping up day after day.”

Sport Director, Massimo Podenzana (ITA)

“After four days for the sprinters, today was the day for the GC men. 160km with an uphill start and a very tough climb at the end. Definitely the most demanding stage of this Tour of Turkey.“

“The team worked for David and Peter to bring them in a good position before the last climb. We have been unlucky with Peter crashing in the last 10km. David was by himself at the end and couldn’t arrive with the first group.”

David Lozano (ESP)

“The Queen Stage of Tour of Turkey was a very tough stage with three climbs and a summit finish in Elmali. I know this climb quite well since I have done it a few times already, while for some of us it was a first one.”

“The guys have worked really well to keep Peter and me in good position throughout the race. In the last kilometers there was a bit of crosswind, the nervousness increased and I lost my position arriving in the last climb too tired to push more. It didn’t finish as I hoped, and we have been unlucky with Peter crashing, but there was great teamwork and I have to thank my teammates for their hard work during this tough stage.”

Sport Director, Massimo Podenzana (ITA)

“Stage six was a very nervous one with many attacks since the very beginning. It was another stage for sprinters with possibility for breakaways.”

“We have tried repeatedly to go into the breakaway without succeeding. The guys worked then for Andrea to keep him up over the final climb and onto the descent to the finish in Marmaris, where he sprinted into the top 25.”

Peter Kusztor (HUN)

“It was a hard stage, for me especially it was harder than yesterday with so many attacks and full gas from the beginning.”

“We didn’t get into the breakaway and we focused all our energies in protecting our sprinter and keeping him in a good position. We did everything we could today, and we are ready to give it all in the last two stages.”

Peter Kusztor (HUN)

“We had a very long and tactic stage today with many climbs. On the first climb I had a really good feeling in my legs, which I embraced and helped me to keep going throughout the race. It was very windy though, so we had to stay constantly focused to stay ahead and not lose position.”

“The final was very fast and I arrived in the first group with David. It was a tough day but I am happy with the results and looking forward for the last stage coming tomorrow, hopefully with less wind.”

David Lozano (ESP)

“Today the worst part was the wind. It was extremely strong, at times dangerous and it was really hard to get into position.”

“I am glad Peter and I made it in the first group, keeping up with the high pace of the guys there.”

Sport Director, Massimo Podenzana (ITA)

“This Tour of Turkey has been tough. Weather has not been on our side, with snow and cold on the first stages, and two windy stages at the end. The level was high and the guys have worked well throughout these eight days working hard together and following our tactics, showing today that we can arrive among the best ones.”

Andrea Peron (ITA)

“It was a tough and final last stage here in Turkey. The team has worked really hard to keep me up there in front for the final sprint. I missed the top 10 just for one spot, which is disappointed. But I tried my best and I’m grateful to my teammates for the great job they did. Time to recover a bit and focus on the next race.”