THE 56th PRESIDENTIAL CYCLING TOUR OF TURKEY MARK CAVENDISH KICKED TO VICTORY IN GENERAL INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY

CAVENDISH WILL TAKE ON THE TORQUOIS JERSEY IN TOMORROW’S BEYŞEHİR - ALANYA LEG

LEG WINNER CAVENDISH, “I HAVE INTENSE FEELINGS” 

Quick Step rider Mark Cavendish who won the second leg of 144.9 km Konya-Konya track in the 56th Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey, held under the main sponsorship of Turkish Airlines, ranked first in the General Individual Category. The British rider earned the Turquois Jersey for tomorrow’s 212.6 km of Beyşehir-Alanya leg.  

DISTRIBUTION OF OTHER JERSEYS 

Cavendish earned the right to take on the green jersey under the sponsorship of Salcano, meaning that Arvid De Kleijn from Rally Cycling team will also take on the green jersey. 

Vitaly Buts from Salcano Sakarya team will take on the Red Jersey, King of the Mountains (Climb), under the sponsorship of Turkish Airlines, while Artyom Zakharov from Astana team earns the right to take on Turkey’s Beauties White Jersey under the sponsorship of Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency.

CAVENDISH, “IT WAS A GREAT RETURN TO THE TOP” 

Taking first win in 1159 days, Mark Cavendish said, “It’s incredible” to welcome the victory. “It was nice to take a win after a long time. I never get tired of this feeling. There are many lessons to take, as the crash of one single ride changes everything. We were unable to come up with a plan with my team mates. We are here only with 6 riders. Fabio Jakobsen is not with us. So, we acted more cautiously. What matters is that everyone was dedicated to the leg till the very end. Shane Archbold got me for long. Alvaro Hodeg could guide me in the last kilometer. My other rivals kept me under control while we were taking the last turn. Jasper had a small gap, but I managed to win. I thank a lot to Quick Step team. The director of our team Patrick took me back to the stage. Tour of Turkey is not a Tour of France. Yet it is not easy to outstrip Jasper and Griepel,” he said. 

TROPHIES DELIVERED ON A TRAY 

The Mayor Vahdettin Ozkan and the President of the Cycling Federation Erol Kucukbakirci gave the trophies to the riders who ranked among the top three in Konya-Konya leg. Ozkan and Kucukbakirci delivered the trophies to the winners on a tray due to coronavirus measures