Having been relatively anonymous in the spring Classics, Filippo Pozzato is showing signs of improving form in the Presidential Tour of Turkey. The Lampre-Merida rider was part of a select group that fought it out for the stage win at the end of today’s tough 164 kilometre race from Gocek to Marmaris, with Pozzato going head to head with Andre Greipel and others in the dash for the flag.
He ultimately finished fourth, crossing the line behind Greipel (Lotto Belisol), Nikias Arndt (Argos Shimano) and Moreno Hofland (Blanco Pro Cycling).
That group was just 38 riders in size, showing the difficulty of the stage and how selective the reduced bunch was.
“I knew today stage could have been suitable for my skills,” Pozzato said afterwards, speaking about what was his best result since netting second in the Roma Maxima race on March 3rd. “I had good legs that allowed me to be in the head of the race on Marmaris climb. Anyway, Greipel too was in a good condition and he was too strong in the sprint.”
He accepts the win was not possible, but does believe he could have been closer. “Without a skid in the last bend, maybe I could have obtained the second place.”
Pozzato will continue to ride aggressively in the days ahead, knowing that other chances could arise. The route of this year’s race is lumpier than that of 2012, giving opportunities to more than just sprinters.