Lonardi, new green jersey in Turkey

A sublime stage for Team Polti VisitMalta on the third day of the Presidential Tour of Turkiye, with Lonardi’s 4th place in the sprint that allowed him to wear the green points jersey thanks to yesterday’s second place. Huge work of the whole team to control and launch the Italian sprinter.

The control of the peloton and the confidence in the sprinter Lonardi. The plan was clear and the riders of Team Polti VisitMalta faced with determination the challenge of raising their arms. Everything went perfectly, controlling the attacks, protecting the sprinter and coming out to attack in the final part, as did Diego Pablo Sevilla.

Already in the final part, the bunch worked to perfection with Mirco Maestri leaving the lead and just 200 meters from the finish line to a Lonardi who started with all his strength, was able to sign the 4th position and wear the green jersey as leader of the points classification. A prize and reward for the good team work that should continue in the opportunities presented by the race.

Giovanni Lonardi: “We were close to victory. I think we started a bit far away, because there was a headwind that made the sprint very long, but we were able to finish fourth. It’s a pity because it was a great opportunity to win, but we’ll keep trying”.

Giovanni Ellena, sports director: “The team work has been very good, we have achieved the regularity jersey and we have to highlight the attitude and mentality. Raising our arms is not easy, but we will continue to fight for it”.

Tomorrow the race faces its queen stage, with a short 115 kilometres but a climb in the central part and the top finish at Akyaka (Kiran) with more than 10 kilometres of ascent and gradients of more than 10% to decide the overall classification.