Belgian rider says Mustafa Sayar ‘killed’ him.
Astana rider Kevin Seeldraeyers had hoped for a strong performance on yesterday’s sixth stage of the Presidential Tour of Turkey, starting the day just ten seconds behind the race leader Natnael Berhane (Europcar).
He had finished six seconds behind Berhane on the summit finish which concluded stage three and was determined to push for the turquoise jersey of race leader.
However things didn’t go to plan, with Berhane saying after the stage that he had gone into the red and suffered as a result.
“The start was very fast. Then it was quite easy but the end was also really fast. I think I exploded myself on the climb by following the Turkish guy.
“He killed me. At the beginning of the climb it would have been better if I was in 20th or 15th position on the climb and done my own rhythm rather than trying to follow him.”
After going too deep too early, Seeldraeyers cracked and placed 26th, one minute 27 seconds behind a motoring Mustafa Sayar (Torku).
In the video above he gives his reaction to Sayar’s performance, and also talks about his buildup to the race, his expectations for the last two stages plus a possible ride in the Tour de France.