Astana rider Andrea Guardini came second again on Sunday at the Tour of Turkey, sprinting along the waterfront in Istanbul to a podium on the final day of racing.

Guardini, who finished second on Saturday as well, was well-placed in the short stage that began on the European side of the Bosporus and crossed into Asia before eight laps in front of tens of thousands of fans, including the Turkish President. German sprinter Marcel Kittel (Argos-Shimano) won on Sunday, again beating Guardini in a fair sprint.

"There was a headwind for the sprint and I was at the limit of my possibilities,” admitted Guardini. “In the end I took the wheel of the Omega Pharma Quick Step riders and Kittel passed us on the left. I can't be happy with a second place. When you feel so good it's really frustrating not to win. Now I'm going to the Dunkirk Four Days for it would be a shame not to make the best of such great form but I can't wait to win again. My stage win in the Tour of Langkawi seems a long time ago (late February)."