The finale in Saturday’s stage at the Tour of Turkey was marred by a crash inside the final km as a sharp right-hand corner eliminated a series of sprinters from contention and left just a handful of fast men in a position to contest the sprint finish.

One of the sprinters that was deliberately absent from the decisive rush to the finish line was the owner of the points competition’s green leader’s jersey, André Greipel of Lotto-Belisol.

"I had decided not to take part in the sprint because I have other races to care about after this one,” explained Greipel. “The experience from last year made me believe there would be a crash and it was the case. I made the right decision. I also had the misfortune of taking the right lane instead of the left but in any case I wouldn't have sprinted. I have a good enough lead in the points standings and there's still a stage on Sunday."