Cycling: Sam Bennett (Bora-hansgrohe) won the first stage of the Tour of Turkey. With his seven wins of the season, the Irishman lived up to his role as favourite. In a mass sprint overshadowed by a fall, he left Marco Benfatto (Androni-Sidermec-Bottecchia) and Edward Theuns (Trek-Segafredo) behind.
Mass Sprint & Mass Fall
The Tour of Turkey started today according to plan for the German team Bora-hansgrohe. With Sam Bennett they had the strongest sprinter in their own ranks, who was then able to promptly win. The first section took the drivers over 176,7 kilometers from Alany to Kemer. As usual, a breakaway group formed, which was then caught by the field in good time. In the end there was a hectic sprint preparation, which led to a mass fall. It is still unclear who was involved in the crash and whether all the drivers who fell will be able to resume the race tomorrow. What is certain, however, is that Bennett is the first overall leader.
上から見ると強い#jspocycle #tur2017 pic.twitter.com/eqDjRa4v0x
— だれとく (@da_re_toku) 10 October 2017
Only four WorldTour teams at the start
For the first time, the Tour of Turkey will be held as part of the UCI WorldTour. Despite this new status, the organizers are having quite a hard time confirming this promotion. Because not many world stars can be seen in Turkey. Although according to the regulations at least ten WorldTour teams should actually register, only four are at the start: Bora-hansgrohe, Astana, UAE and Trek-Segafredo. A German was also at the front of the sprint: Jonas Koch (CCC Sprandi-Polkowice) finished eighth.
ICYMI #TUR2017 Four WorldTour teams set to start in Tour of Turkey https://t.co/qKre3Eq7S5 pic.twitter.com/oRz682pFnD
— CyclingPub (@CyclingPub) 10 October 2017
Who will win the Tour of Turkey 2017?
The Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey has been part of the UCI WorldTour since this season. It will be held in six stages from October 10th to 15th and will end in Istanbul on Sunday. The focus is primarily on the sprinters. The fourth stage to Selçuk and the 5th stage to İzmir will be decisive for the overall standings. Last year the Portuguese José Goncalves won the stage race. But well-known professionals have already won the tour. In 2014 Adam Yates was successful, in 2010 Giovanni Visconti.
#TUR2017 🇹🇷#cycling #Antalya #Turkey 🚲🏁pic.twitter.com/H9P4WV0Vzl
— Antalya City Blog ⏩ (@AntalyaCityBlog) 9 October 2017