Greipel wins his seventh Tour of Turkey stage

MARMARIS

German rider Andre Greipel took home the victory at the stage four of the 49th Presidential Cycling Tour on Wednesday, making it his seventh Tour of Turkey victory in total. AA photo

German rider Andre Greipel added another chapter to his Tour of Turkey victories, winning the stage four of the Presidential Cycling Tour on Wednesday.

The Lotto-Belisol rider, who has six Tour of Turkey victories previously, had a late attack to finish the Göcek to Marmaris route.

Greipel beat Nikias Arndt of the team Argos-Shimano and Blanco rider Moreno Hofland in the 147-kilometer stage that featured several hills, including one near the end of the race. A fast descent brought the peloton into the finishing town of Marmaris, and then the course flattened out for the finish.

Greipel positioned himself a few wheels deep entering the final 500 meters. After a sweeping turn brought he field into the finishing straight with 100 meters to go, he shot out of the group and up the left side of the road, where he easily surged in front.

Europcar’s Natnael Berhane Europcar maintained his overall race lead, while Astana rider Kevin Seeldraeyers is second and Turkish hope Mutafa Sayar of the Konya Torku Şeker Spor is third.

The eight-day race resumes with Thursday’s 183km stage 5. The 165,3-kilometer stage will be held from Marmaris to Turgutreis. The race will end with the Istanbul stage on April 28.