Videos

Decision to be made soon on potential upgrateRegarding this year’s race as being a success, Presidential Tour of Turkey race director Abdurrahman Acikalin has said that a decision will be made soon as to whether it will apply to be part of the UCI WorldTour in the future. The 2.HC race is continuing to progress, with the number of WorldTour teams increasing to nine this season and with the race also featuring its first-ever summit finish. This week Acikalin and others will meet and debate which way forward they should take. “The future of the race has two dimensions at the moment,” he confirmed to VeloNation in a video interview recorded on Saturday. “One side [to the debate – ed.] is yes. That according to all these comments, the nice comments from outside, from the teams, from the press members, that yes, this tour deserves to be in the WorldTour. [...]

Open to WorldTour offers, but says no negotiations yetPresidential Tour of Turkey winner Ivailo Gabrovski has insisted there’s no secret to his unexpected victory in the race, with the Continental team rider saying that hard work and complete dedication are the reasons why he was able to beat WorldTour and Pro Continental level squads. Some teams expressed skepticism about the nature of the win, which was forged when he finished well over a minute clear of the next rider on the race’s sole summit finish of Elmali, then sealed when he defended against all attacks on the five remaining days. One team manager told VeloNation that he simply didn’t believe what he had seen, referring to both Gabrovski’s strength and also the fact that he was temporarily blocked from racing in 2003 and 2005 as a result of a too-high hematocrit. However Gabrovski strongly refuted any such suggestions about his [...]

Tour of Turkey double stage winner doesn’t believe in himself just yetAlthough he picked up the first and last stage of the Presidential Tour of Turkey this week and in doing so, beat Andre Greipel (Lotto Belisol), Marcel Kittel (Argos Shimano), Matt Goss (GreenEdge) and several other top sprinters, Theo Bos is still to fully rate his performances and his position in the sport. The five-time world track sprint champion continues to emphasize that he’s got room for improvement. He’s cut his bulk down from his track worlds peak in 2006, when he took keirin and sprint gold medals in Bordeaux, with the rider now weighing in at 77 kilometres rather than 83. Still, despite that, despite his vastly-improved endurance and the fact that he’s picked up several wins since concentrating to the road after the 2008 Olympics, he says there’s much left to do. “I know I’m fast. But [...]

Belgian says he’s committed to both road and track, ready to ride a Grand TourIljo Keisse has described his Presidential Tour of Turkey stage victory yesterday, the first big road race win of his career, as being a major turning point for him. The Belgian has faced many stressful times in recent years but, beaming with satisfaction at the triumph, he believes the tough period is now behind him. “This one is very special,” he smiled. “I’ve been through quite hard times and all kinds of circumstances. “I was very close not to get a contract last year from this team. They gave me the trust to sign me for another year and I am very happy to give them this victory. “What does this mean to me? I think it’s the end of a very bad part of my life…let’s say it like that.” Keisse has had a long [...]