Astana Pro Team rider Andrea Guardini sprinted to a podium finish at the Tour of Turkey on Saturday, avoiding a final kilometre crash thanks to the hard work of his teammates in the last 10 km.

Guardini, who has two career wins at Turkey, said he fought a strong headwind and an untimely move from a competitor to get himself onto the podium. German rider Marcel Kittel took the stage win on a sunny day in downtown Izmir after 124 km along the coast from the start in Kusadasi. After the stage Guardini vented his frustration.

"I'm angry because I was blocked by people who think they are sprinters when they are not! I was in Kittel's wheel when a rider took my place without being able to sprint himself. It's frustrating because my team made a great job. I missed a great opportunity. I felt this stage was mine. I was very strong and I led my sprint well. Still congrats to Kittel, who is a great winner."