André Greipel has won the fourth stage in the Tour of Turkey with finish in Marmaris. It’s the tenth victory ever of Greipel in this stage race.

It was a short stage in Turkey today of about 132 kilometres. It was a nervous day with lots of attacks. Lotto Soudal, and especially Kris Boeckmans, did lots of work in the peloton, chasing down the leaders. In the final there was a climb which wasn’t part of the KOM classification, but the peloton was reduced considerably there. The riders that attacked there didn’t make it till the end and a group of about 55 riders sprinted for the victory. André Greipel was the fastest. The German champion beat Daniele Colli and Daniele Ratto.

Now Greipel will leave the Tour of Turkey to do his final preparation for the Giro, which starts on Saturday 9th May, at home.

“As always it’s nice to win, especially because it didn’t work out in the first two sprints," he said. "I did get my win here after all. The climb in the final was crucial, that made the difference. We got over the top with about 35 riders. It was a really good team effort today, my teammates tried to hang on as well to make the sprint possible for me. With 300 metres to go I started sprinting and I won.

"The first two days are spent cruising around. Everyone is fresh at the finish and everyone can sprint. But I like this kind of finish. It’s hard just before the finish. We had a good plan, and I think it’s a deserved win. 

"The breakaway was 5 or 6 guys, and they had a big gap, but the team was pulling to keep them withing striking distance. De Gendt was one of the riders who worked hard until 2 km to go, then Adam Hansen did a big pull to bring the attackers back, and Jasper de Buyst set me up for the sprint. He has a good eye as he comes from the track, so he’s a really good guy for the future, and I hope I can continue working with him in the future.

"I just tried to have a free wheel, to set my sprint. I had to go early, but it was a good, long, fast sprint, 
 

"I wasn’t able to take part in the sprints last year, and it’s hard for a sprinter to hold back in the sprint.

“I like to race in Turkey, I love the country. The Tour of Turkey is a beautiful race, that grows every year and the organization keeps getting better. This was the ideal race to get back in competition after my break after the spring races.

"It was planned to be my last stage today. Tomorrow I’ll fly home and on Wednesday I’ll leave for the Giro. I will do some endurance rides in the following days, but it’s important to get fresh at the start. It’s always good to win just before a Grand Tour. I’m looking forward to the Giro.”