Today’s 153 km second stage of the Tour of Turkey between Alanya and Antalya could be mistaken for yesterday’s opening stage in the construction – a big crash marred the end. A break of six riders got away early in the day. But the escapees went too early and a series of counter-attacks threatened again sprinters’ chances for a stage win. With nine kilometers to go it looked like another bunch sprint. The last mile was a crash at the front that took many riders to the asphalt. Aidis Kroupis (Orica-Green Edge) avoided the crash and took the stage win.
Saxo-Tinkoff’s riders successfully managed to avoid the crash and are ready for tomorrow’s mountain stage: “The riders were going at full throttle when the crash happened, but luckily we escaped with a fright and can only fret not to be allowed to sprint for the win. Tomorrow a great job on mountain stage of completion at a 1 category climb where we will try to run Bruno (Pires) and Rory (Sutherland) to a good location, “said Team Saxo-Tinkoff’s sports director, Tristan Hofmann, after the stage. Andre Greipel (Lotto-BELISOL) is a new man in the lead.
