Tough finale makes bunch gallop uncertain
With a crocodile-tooth parcours awaiting them on the fourth stage of the Presidential Tour of Turkey, both day two winner Andre Greipel and the promising young Italian sprinter Andrea Guardini played down their chances of success this morning.
“I don’t think I will be there for the win today,” Greipel said at the presentation in Fethiye, approximately half an hour before the riders began the 132 kilometre race to Marmaris. “It was a difficult one last year and I’ve just come back from a break from racing. I don’t think I’ll be there in the finale.”
Guardini is determined to pick up a victory this week, but felt it would have to come at a later point.
“For me, today the finish is a little bit hard. I know this finish from last year, but I think it is not for me,” he told VeloNation.
Greipel decided to ride for Lotto Belisol team-mate Adam Hansen today, dropping back to the car to get bottles and also helping position him. As the race enters the final twenty kilometres, there is indeed a lot of eyeballs-out racing and Hansen has been one of the main aggressors.
Come back soon for a race report, results and reactions…