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TUR Stars Shine At Giro D'Italia

Last updated : 03 June 2015 By Matt Rendall

Iljo Keisse's brilliant win in Sunday's final stage of the Giro d'Italia, when he forestalled a sprint finish that many took for granted, came as no surprise to fans of the Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey (TUR, for short). In 2012 Keisse (Eitxx - Quick-Step), a TUR regular who has ridden the last four editions, took one of the most extraordinary stage wins in the event's 51-year history.   

6km from the finish line of stage 7, Kusadasi - Izmir, Iljo, riding for Omega Pharma-QuickStep, rode away from six breakaway companions and built a lead of 40 seconds before disaster struck. On the final bend, just outside the Flamme Rouge, his front wheel slid away, leaving him sprawled on the asphalt as the peloton, led by the speeding train of that voracious sprinter Marcel Kittel, bore down on him. 

Iljo Keisse rides away towards an unforgettable stage win in Turkey, 2012
(Click through for Hi Res. Photo credit: Tour of Turkey/Brian Hodes)


 

After picking himself up and checking his bike for damage, Iljo replaced his chain and remounted. Holding his nerve as Marcel Kittel unleashed a ferocious sprint behind him, Iljo crossed the line inches ahead of the German, who had closed to finish in the same time but, crucially, in second place.

After his brilliant track career, which included fourth place in the 2008 Madison at the 2008 Olympics (partnered by another TUR regular, Kenny De Ketele), it was the first professional win of Iljo's road career and remains etched in the memories all those who were there to see it.

The 2015 Giro d'Italia also saw  other TUR regulars achieve great success:
  • The winner of Giro stage 2, Elia Viviani (Team Sky), too his first pro win in Stage 7 of the 2010 TUR, Finike - Antalya.
  • The winner of Giro stage 6, André Greipel (Lotto Soudal), holds the record for TUR stage wins with 10, the most recent of them in Marmaris on 29 April this year.  
  • Sacha Modolo (Lampre Merida), the winner of two Giro stages in May, won at Pamukkale in stage 5 of the 2015 TUR, and took one of the first wins of his professional career in TUrkey at Kusadasi in 2012.
  • Giovanni Visconti (Movistar Team), the winner of the 2010 TUR, won the mountains category at this year's Giro d'Italia. 
  • With his Bardiani CSF team-mates, the winner of Giro Stage 10, Nicola Boem, has ridden aggressively at the last two TURs. 
  • Another TUR stalwart, Adam Hansen (Lotto Soudal), who has ridden every TUR since 2011, and finished 9th overall in 2014 and this year, crossed the finish line in Milan to complete his eleventh consecutive Grand
    Tour.
Next stop, the Tour de France, where TUR fans will watch out for the likes of Kristijan Durasek and Adam Yates, the 2015 and 2014 winners, and Rein Taaramae, runner-up a year ago.