12 Oct 2023

Tercero in the breakaway and Lonardi 5th in an eventful Tour of Turkey stage finale

Tour of Turkey (2.1)

Stage 5: Marmaris - Bodrum (180'5km)

Brave day in the breakaway for Fernando Tercero, who tried to show himself in a day with two climbs in the central part. With no chance of winning the stage, the peloton contested a very technical sprint finish where EOLO KOMETA was again in control, but a fall with 500 metres splitted the bunch. Even so, Lonardi was able to finish 5th in the Bora’s double with victory for Nico Denz.

There is not a rest day in the Tour of Turkey. Neither for the riders of EOLO KOMETA, who today fought to be in the breakaway of the day and Fernando Tercero got it. The climber from La Mancha tried to have a chance in a day with two climbs and the confidence that they could put a pulse to the peloton in the final part.

But the main group was clear that, despite the hardness, it was another day for the fast men. Alpecin in particular, together with Astana and Bora, reduced the five-minute lead to just 45 seconds in the last 20 kilometres. There, Tercero was caught, while two companions from the breakaway still held on for a few more kilometres. They were neutralised too with the peloton riding at a very high speed.

The technical and downhill finish didn’t take EOLO KOMETA by surprise. Perfectly positioned, with up to three men leading Lonardi, they suffered the misfortune of crashes in the last corner with 500 metres to go. Mirco Maestri lost control of his bike, although the injuries were not serious. Anyway, Lonardi was able to avoid the crash and held his position to finish 5th, adding another top-10 in this Tour of Turkey.

Fernando Tercero: “It was a stage that started off uphill. On the climb we knew that there was going to be a breakaway that could come, and we were there. The pity is that the headwind and the whole day on the highroad made it difficult and in the end we were caught without having the option to fight for the win”.

Jesús Hernández, sport director: “Another day of great work, with the presence of Tercero in the breakaway giving prominence and in the final part looking for the victory in the sprint. The team’s work was perfect, protecting Lonardi and trying to reach the key point, the last climb and the final turn, in leading positions. We did well, Bora did even better and although we suffered the fall of Mirco Maestri (without consequences), we were able to keep the 5th place at the finish”.