Tinkoff-Saxo got within approximately ten meters of the win in Tour of Turkey after team sprinter Michael Kolar had opened the uphill sprint with 350m to go and made the gap. Instead it was Sacha Modolo, who took the win with Jay McCarthy and Kolar coming in 3rd and 4th. Despite the disappointment, Kolar notes that there’s reason to be pleased.

After Jay McCarthy got caught just before the finish line on stage 4, it was Michael Kolar’s turn to get even closer on stage 5 to Pamukkale. The Slovak showed power as he started his uphill sprint with 350m to the line, put distance to the other sprinters and nearly held out to the line. After the stage, Kolar, however, comments that he started his sprint just a little too early.

“It was an uphill sprint and we had headwind, which made it harder. I went with more than 300 meters to go and I guess I was eager to start the sprint. I felt good and I had the legs but I was a bit too impatient. I think it was an unwise move and I should have waited a little longer. There were some riders attacking and making gaps so I thought I might surprise and I also managed to create the gap. If I would have waited just a few meters I believe I would have won. So naturally I’m disappointed with how the finish went, as I felt that I had the power today”, says Michael Kolar, who notes that he is still very satisfied with the progress made in 2015.

“I showed power again today, which is a good sign. Like my DS Nicki Sørensen has said, I’ve made big improvements in my condition and the way I’m going at the moment. Being there in a stage like this is something I wouldn’t have been able to in previous years, so for that I’m really happy. I feel it’s going the right way and for me, right now, I’m waiting for the last stage in Istanbul, while making sure everyday that I learn from my mistakes. I’m really happy that the team fully believes in me, which is great, but also Jay’s shape is really good, so tomorrow will be a very exciting day”.

"It’s a good day for me," McCarthy said. "We prepared the sprint for Michael Kolar, but he went a bit too soon. I followed the sprint just to see how my rivals were, and I followed one or two of them. I couldn’t sprint as fast as Molodo but I’m on the podium and I’m happy with my good condition. I don’t think I used up too much energy in the final, and I can’t wait for tomorrow because the finish suits me even more than today."

Stage 5 took the riders 160 kilometers, mostly in altitude above 800m, before barreling down towards Pamukkale, where the road kicked up just before the finish line. Sacha Modolo (Lampre-Merida) edged out Michael Kolar on the final meters, while Jay McCarthy came fast from behind to grab 3rd place. Tinkoff-Saxo sports director Nicki Sørensen underlines that the squad executed the team strategy well.

“It was really close today and the team did well once again. They stuck to the script and adapted to the changes we made during the stage. Jay McCarthy and Michael Kolar are getting more and more hungry to get that stage win, which is a good situation, since their shape is there. Kolar opened the sprint just a little to soon but he shouldn’t be too hard on himself, as he has indeed added a lot to his abilities as a rider. Today, he opted for a long sprint, in uphill terrain, which makes it even harder and he showed good power. He will definitely get the chance on the final stage to Istanbul again”, explains Nicki Sørensen.

 “Tomorrow, we are all in for Jay McCarthy, who sits 4th in the GC. I reckon that he has the shape and motivation to do a fine result, while a guy like Pavel Brutt can seek out opportunities in the breakaway”, finishes Sørensen.

Stage 6 to Selcuk features 184 kilometers before the riders hit a steep 1st category uphill finish.