Conti runner up, now 2nd overall

Valerio Conti fought until the last metre of the Tour of Turkey stage five, finishing runner up behind Felix Grossschartner (Bora-Hansgrohe). With his push, he moved to second overall.

The stage began from Bursa and made the new climb to Kartepe, shortened by four kilometres due to the heavy snowfall near the original finish line. However, the new finish proved very demanding, also due to the cold that affected the riders.

Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck-Quick Step) made the first decisive move mid-climb, and only Valerio Conti, Merhawi Kudus (Astana) and Felix Grosschartner (Bora-Hansgrohe) managed to stay in the wake of the young Belgian. At 2km from the finish line, a counter-attack by Kudus seemed to be a winner, but Grosschartner returned to the Eritrean and at -250 meters, he took the lead. With the win, he moved on top of the overall classification.

Valerio Conti kept Kudus in sight and did not lose heart. He gradually recovered ground, overcoming him a few metres from the finish. He took second on the stage (+9 “) and moved to second place in the general classification (+19″).

With a regular pace, Jan Polanc completed the stage with a good sixth place (+51″) and is now in overall overall standings (+ 1’07”).

“It was a difficult stage both physically and mentally,” explained Conti (photo Bettini). “The cold and the rain accompanied us all day and the final climb was very hard. I gave my best for the team and myself, although I suffer in this type of weather. Second place is a great result, I’m happy“.

Last stage of the Tour of Turkey will be suitable for the sprinters: Sakarya-Istanbul, 172,4 km.

Stage 5 results
1 Felix Grosschartner (Aut) Bora-hansgrohe 4h17’13”
2 Valerio Conti (Ita) UAE Team Emirates 9″
3 Merhawi Kudus (Eri) Astana s.t.

General classification after stage 5
1 Felix Grosschartner (Aut) Bora-hansgrohe 20h43’09”
2 Valerio Conti (Ita) UAE Team Emirates 19″
3 Merhawi Kudus (Eri) Astana 25″