Top-5 and points jersey for Team Polti Kometa on a great work in Tour of Turkey
Team Polti Kometa showed great composure to defend their chances in the second stage of the Tour of Turkey, after yesterday’s good result. Controlling the attacks in the complicated final part, accompanying Lonardi and looking for the victory, with a fifth place that serves to occupy an identical position in the general classification. The Italian climbed the podium as the new leader of the points classification.
Total commitment and confidence in the leaders. This is how the team faced the day, letting the breakaway of the day go, but giving their all on the last climb of the stage, already within the decisive 50 kilometres.
Erik Fetter and Andrea Pietrobon were able to control several attacks and set the pace when many of the sprinters started to drop off. Aware of his importance in the final part, Manuel Peñalver gritted his teeth to stay in the main group and help a perfectly protected Lonardi.
The up and down terrain encouraged more brave riders to try a surprise to break the sprint. That’s where Paul Double proved superior, neutralising all of them and conditioning the mass resolution. Perhaps a bit closed against the barriers as he launched the uphill finish, Lonardi got 5th position in Kaş to keep the top-5 in the general classification as well, and will wear the green points jersey tomorrow.
Giovanni Lonardi: “I changed tactics today, trying to ride protected until the end, unlike yesterday. But I was a bit closed, I wasn’t able to launch the sprint. I’m still 5th and I’m happy that I’m always at the front, fighting for the win. Let’s try again tomorrow!”
Giovanni Ellena: “The team’s performance was excellent. On the last KOM, 50 kilometres from the finish, when the group was down to just 70 riders, we had all our riders. To prevent other sprinters from coming back in, Fetter did a great job with Bora, and all the team-mates supported Lonardi, with a special mention to Peñalver, who gave everything today”.
This Tuesday will be the third stage of the Tour of Turkey with 147.4 kilometres between Fethiye and Marmaris, which again will probably be resolved in a sprint.
