Nicola Ruffoni took a great third place the bunch sprint of Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey’s opening stage.

The Bardiani  sprinter was supported by all the teammates in the front of the peloton after a long attempt of Alessandro Tonelli who was part on a 5-man breakaway that was caught with 16km to go.

The victory was taken Mark Cavendish (Etixx – Quick Step) who Ewan (Orica – GreenEdge) Ruffoni who found the space to sprint with 200 meters go and passed Modolo (Lampre – Merida) before the finish line, taking the 3rd place.

”It was really important for me and the whole team start this race in the right way," he said. "Here in Turkey there’re some of the strongest world sprinters and today's third place is a confirmation that I’m working well and my shape is improving having the big goal at the Giro d’Italia. I want to thank all the team that led me our very well in the last 10km. The sprint was so tricky, I was behind Cavendish but I lost his wheel. So I jumped on the wheel of Greipel and with 200 meters to go I started on the right side and made a strong comeback.

"I hoped to do well today. I’m happy with my third place. I am always trying to improve and I know that I can do even better. In the last two circuits, my team-mates protected me well. I had to come from a long way back but this performance gives me great hope for the rest of the TUR."

”Our guys did a great race, starting from Tonelli who was smart and fast to go in the early breakway and ending with Ruffoni who conquered a superb stage podium. Now we have to continue on this road," sports director Mirko Rossato said.