Daryl Impey has won the 45th edition of the Presidential Tour of Turkey. The South African Team Barloworld rider won the week long stage race despite a terrible crash in the final 500 metres of the eighth and final stage from Antalya to Alanya (166km).
Because the crash occurred inside the final three kilometres of the stage, Impey was given the same time as stage winner Sebastian Siedler (Voralberg Corratec) and so sealed victory to take home the yellow jersey.
Italy’s Davide Malacarne (Quick Step) was second, one second behind, and David Garcia Da Pena (Xacobeo Galicia) was third at three seconds.
Impey was taken to hospital in Alanya for a check-up and treatment after managing to cross the line thanks to help from a team mate. He has injured his face, lost a tooth and has a deep cut on his lip.
“Daryl’s crash was terrible. The speed was really high and some riders took far too many risk,” team mate Paolo Longo Borghini said after the race.
“We’re really sorry for Daryl. He deserved to climb on the winner’s podium and celebrate with us. The important thing is that he managed to finish the race and win.”
“We were hoping for a different kind of victory celebration and Daryl’s crash has left us stunned,” directeur sportif Alberto Volpi said.
“This is a very important victory for all of us at Team Barloworld. We’ve shown we’re a strong and very united team. We were in the action every day and that’s a good sign for the rapidly approaching Giro d’Italia.”
Daryl Impey ended the Presidential Tour of Turkey in pain after his crash but lead Team Barloworld’s haul of success in the new but already prestigious race.
Impey also won the Green Point’s jersey , while Team Barloworld won the Best Team Prize.