Victory was in the air for Team Barloworld at the Presidential Tour of Turkey after going close on two other stages, and South Africa’s Daryl Impey got it at the end of the 166.9km fourth stage from Bodrum to Marmaris.
Impey was part of the nine-rider breakaway that decided the stage and then powerfully out sprinted Malacarne of Quick Step and Loosli of Lampre.
“I’m so happy! I knew my condition was good and today I sealed the deal on this important stage. We raced over rain-soaked roads and I was so lucky because I didn’t crash. In the finale I kept the best possible position going into the last corner and then won the sprint,” an over the moon Impey said after the finish.
The stage was the toughest of this year’s Presidential Tour of Turkey. It included two testing climbs, while rain made the day even more demanding but also made Impey’s victory even more impressive.
Italy’s Gianpaolo Cheula was also in the thick of the action during the stage. He attacked on the first climb and sparked a three-rider breakaway. He was definitely the strongest rider in the move but the trio were caught by the bunch with 30km to go.
Unfortunately both Robert Hunter and Carlo Scognamiglio crashed during the stage, were taken to hospital and pulled out of the race. Hunter hit another rider who slid across the road after 95km of the stage and suffered a deep cut under his left leg. Scognamiglio crashed 10km from the finish and had 8 stitches in his right elbow.
The Presidential Tour of Turkey continues on Thursday with the 130km fifth stage from Marmaris to Fethiye.