Danish neo-pro Magnus Cort was ORICA-GreenEDGE’s top finisher in another bunch sprint on stage two of the Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey.

The Australian outfit contributed to the control of an early breakaway, largely courtesy of the pulling power of Canadian Christian Meier, before preparing for the sprint only to lose their way in a technical final.

Cort finished in 30th position behind winner Mark Cavendish (Etixx Quick-Step) who claimed his second stage. Caleb Ewan rolled through on group time in 119th.

“After two easy days, the end is always quite difficult because there are a lot of riders still fresh so it’s really hectic,” sport director Laurenzo Lapage said.

“In the end our guys just lost each other and weren’t able to regroup to contest.”

Earlier in the day Lluis Mas (Caja Rural – Seguros RGA), Adrien Niyonshuti (MTN - Qhubeka) and Frederik Veuchelen (Wanty – Groupe Gobert) rode off the front after 20km of racing and were shortly joined by Kevin De Mesmaeker (Novo Nordisk) and Federico Zurlo (UnitedHealthcare) who bridged across to form the day’s five-man break.

Their greatest advantage hit five and a half minutes but with the big teams eager for a sprint, it was never a threatening move.

“We are here with three sprinting teams - Etixx Quick-Step, Lotto and us – so it is normal that you have to take a little bit of responsibility,” Lapage said of the team’s contribution today.

“With Caleb coming second yesterday, it’s also important for us to show him that we believe in him.”

At 12km to go the catch was made as team began to assemble early at the front, preparing for the technical conclusion to the 182.3km stage into Antalya.

As they entered into the final three kilometres few trains, aside from Etixx Quick-Step, remained in tact as those surviving negotiated a large roundabout and series of turns towards the finish line.