The Southeast team were keen to be a protagonist in the fourth stage of the Tour of Turkey as Manuel Belletti had raised his arms at the finish in Marmaris two years ago. Today he took a good fifth place after a thrilling sprint, with the support from Brazilian Rafael Andriato and the "gentleman sprinter" Alessandro Petacchi who did a great lead-out.

"They did well," said sporting director Giuseppe Di Fresco. "Today we had given the most important job to Andriato, Petacchi and Belletti, for whom we wanted to work today. It is too bad we did not win, but we have no regrets. These riders are fighters who do not give up. They will not be satisfied with this, so tomorrow we will try again."