Tinkoff-Saxo rode out on the queen stage of Tour of Turkey aiming to deliver a result with GC-hopeful Jay McCarthy. The young Australian proved more than capable on the final 1st category climb and finished fourth behind stage winner Davide Rebellin.
 
After crossing the line in fourth place on top of Elmali in 1800m, 1’20” behind stage winner Davide Rebellin, Jay McCarthy commented he was pleased with his performance.
 
“It was a good day for us. Having had a late start to the season, I’m really pleased with how things went today and how my legs responded on the final climb. Our DS Nicki Sørensen gave me the opportunity to have a go today, since my shape has been good. It was definitely a tough finish and Pavel Brutt did a lot of groundwork with a late move and took some of the pressure off me. I gave all I had on the final climb but it wasn’t possible to chase down the duo with Rebellin out front”, stated Jay McCarthy and added:
 
“After Rebellin and Durasek went, I tried to bridge the gap together with Barbin, but in the end it was another rider, who rode up to us. Fourth place is definitely something I’m satisfied with, as it shows that I’m improving but, naturally, it would have been better not to lose 1’20” to Rebellin. We still have some mountains left to tackle and I’ll give it a go again. Besides, I believe that the whole team is performing well and we’ll also look after Kolar, who has the power to get some more results in the sprints”.
 
For the non-connoisseurs it might look as if McCarthy has evolved into a climber overnight. But according to the 22 year old, it’s more a matter of having added another level to his abilities.
 
“I know that I’ve always been capable on the climbs but I’ve definitely improved. After a couple of years as professional, I’m feeling a bit more powerful in these sustained uphill efforts and I’m able to last longer and keep going at a higher load. We still have a lot of Tour of Turkey left and I hope that I can protect my fourth place in the GC”, commented McCarthy.

Stage 3 took the riders 165km from Kemer to the top of Elmali in 1,800m altitude. Pavel Brutt put on the pressure well into the finale, and Jay McCarthy moved away with 7km to go in an effort to chase down a front duo with the later stage winner Davide Rebellin (CCC). When asked about an overall assessment of Tinkoff-Saxo’s performance, sports director Nicki Sørensen stated he was satisfied.
 
“Of course, it’s a 4th place and not a win, but I must say that I’m satisfied with the general team performance and commitment as well as McCarthy’s performance on the final climb. He’s in shape and has definitely stepped up. It’s always nice to see a young rider adding another level to his repertoire and that was what Jay showed today”, asserted Nicki Sørensen.
 
“While some of our fast guys took it a bit easy ahead of the sprinter’s stages, it was up to the likes of Brutt and Beltran to support Jay. Our strategy was to have Brutt in the breakaway and Jay finishing off the stage on the final climb. The guys followed the team tactics and did their best, so as the sports director I can be satisfied”, concluded Nicki Sørensen.
 
Jay McCarthy now sits fourth in the GC, 1’20” behind overall leader Davide Rebellin before stage 4, where the riders will have to tackle a fairly steep ascent in the final part.