Conti takes second place in Tour of Turkey
dubai — UAE Team Emirates’ Valerio Conti continued the team’s fine run, picking up a podium place at the Tour of Turkey. The 26-yearold Italian placed second in the General Classification (GC), 19″ behind the eventual winner Felix Grossschartner (Bora-Hansgrohe), and also finished third in the Mountain Classification.
The penultimate stage proved to be a bitterly cold day in the saddle for all riders, who had to contend with frost and snow as they arrived in the ski resort of Kartepe.
But those who survived were greeted with warmer temperatures in the 172.4 km finale from Sakarya to Istanbul, where UAE Team Emirates’ Simone Consonni picked up fourth place in the sprint finish behind stage winner, Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Soudal). There was also a positive result for UAE Team Emirates’ Jan Polanc, who finished in sixth place in the GC at 1’12”.
Commenting on the finish, Valerio Conti said: “I am satisfied with this second place in a hard fought race. The final stage was not an easy day. It was complicated and it was essential to keep the leading positions in the tortuous run in.
“I received excellent support from the team, so I would like to thank all my team mates. It is a result that gives me optimism as I look forward to the Giro d’Italia. Thinking about Simone Consonni, it was too bad, he came close on the final stage again and almost made the podium too.”
Meanwhile, UAE Team Emirates’ Yousif Mirza continues his recovery following a crash in the early stages of the Tour of Turkey. The UAE National Champion returned to the UAE earlier this week following an unfortunate collision, but a CT scan showed no serious injury and the Emirati should return to action in 2-3 weeks.
I received excellent support from the team, so I would like to thank all my team mates
Valerio Conti