Queen Stage Tests the Team at Feslikan in Türkiye

Stage 6 of the Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye delivered the race’s toughest challenge, with a summit finish to Feslikan. After a nervous and aggressive start, Team Novo Nordisk showed strong teamwork in difficult conditions, with Antonio Polga finishing 54th and Sam Brand 56th on the stage.

From the outset, the race was intense. Crosswinds split the peloton and created constant pressure, with multiple groups attempting to form breakaways. The high pace and “gutter racing” made positioning crucial, and the team worked hard to stay together and protect their GC ambitions heading into the decisive climb.

Sam Brand played a key role throughout the day, guiding Polga through the chaotic opening phase and into the base of the final ascent in a strong position.

“It was an okay day, but I think we all expected a bit more,” said Brand. “The start was really nervous with crosswinds, so it was full gas from the beginning. There was a lot of fighting for position and attempts to get moves going, which made it a high-speed run-in to the climb. My focus was to look after Antonio and pace him as deep into the climb as possible.”

The final ascent to Feslikan proved decisive. Stretching over 21km, the climb exposed the field and demanded a measured effort. Polga initially struggled but showed resilience to recover and limit his losses.

“I hit a difficult moment after about five kilometres of the climb and didn’t feel good,” Polga explained. “But somehow I managed to recover midway and started to find a better rhythm again. Unfortunately, it was too late to reconnect with some of the groups ahead. I’m disappointed not to be in the top 40 on GC, but I’m still close, and it’s a valuable learning experience for the future.”

Despite the challenges, the stage offered important takeaways for the team, particularly in managing positioning under pressure and pacing efforts on long climbs.

With the hardest stage now complete, the focus shifts to consolidating form and looking for opportunities in the remaining stages of the race.