Felix Großschartner wins the overall and Sam Bennett the sprint classification at the Tour of Turkey
The final stage of the 55th edition of the Tour of Turkey had its big showdown like every year in the city center of Istanbul. Before the riders headed into the tricky finale, which was earmarked with many corners, they had to cover 172km starting from Sakarya.
After yesterday’s impressive solo stage win, Felix Großschartner and his BORA – hansgrohe teammates went more than motivated into today’s finale to defend the leader jersey, with the goal to claim the team’s first ever WorldTour stage race. Like the whole week, a group of several riders went into the day’s break and enjoyed a gap of two minutes, until they got caught by the peloton, led by the BORA – hansgrohe riders, shortly before the finale. As the race headed into the city of Istanbul, the BORA – hansgrohe guys worked for their two leaders Sam Bennett and Felix Großschartner. They brought Sam into a good position and tried to protect Felix as best as possible to secure the leader’s jersey. Like last year, Sam tried to surprise the other sprinters with an attack just before the Flamme Rouge. But this year C. Ewan was able to close on Bennett just before the final turn. Ewan took his second stage win, while Sam Bennett with a third place today took the overall sprint classification. Felix Großschartner crossed the line in eighth to secure the overall victory at the Tour of Turkey. This overall win is the team’s first ever WorldTour stage race victory and a perfect end to a epic week of racing. 
Stage results
01 C. Ewan 4:10:41
02 F. Jakobsen +0:00
03 S. Bennett +0:00
08 F. Großschartner +0:00
General Classification
01 F. Großschartner 24:53:58
02 V. Conti +0:19
03 M. Kudus +0:25
From the Finish Line
“It is my first overall victory, like it is for the team BORA – hansgrohe. I am so happy to have secured the overall win today. We were close to a stage win again but I think we did a great job today and the whole week. I knew that I am in a good shape and to take my first WorldTour stage win followed by the overall win is just a really big thing for me. I want to thank everyone, who was involved, helping me to achieve this.” – Felix Großschartner
“We have won our first WorldTour stage race, and I am really proud to be part of it. The whole team did an amazing job this week. Of course, I am delighted to have won again the sprint jersey here in Istanbul. I took this year two stage wins and three times podium, I think it was a great week, now it is time to head home, focusing on the upcoming goals.” – Sam Bennett
“Well, of course we wanted to win today again but I think a third place is really good too. However, we won the overall classification, which is our first WorldTour stage race victory since we are a WorldTour team. I am really proud of the whole team, we have achieved that together. Felix showed an incredible shape and deserves that overall win, same for Sam. He took two stage wins and several podium spots and finished it off with the sprint jersey. All in all, it was a fantastic week for us here in Turkey.” – André Schulze, Sports Director
