Lampre-Merida was a part of the action on today’s stage in Tour of Turkey. Mario Costa, brother of former UCI World Champion Rui Costa, was part of the breakaway. The breakaway didn’t make it to the finish line where Sacha Modolo managed to finish 4th.

Mario Costa was able to obtain two second places in the sprints. The breakaway was in the front of the race until 18 km to go. From there the Lampre team rode for their captain Sacha Modolo.

However, the team hit the front too early and faded inside the final kilometre. The Etixx-Quickstep team was strong though and took the win. Modolo sprinted to 4th after a hard and long sprint.

"Today the sensations were good," Modolo said. "I tried to do a sprint starting on par with Mark but I maybe started a bit too early and in the last metres I was passed by riders from behind. I can say that I gauged the opponents and have taken the necessary measures to sprint better in the next stages."

"Today I have to say what we saw a good Mario Costa who has hit the target that I had made for the day," sports director Bruno Vicino said. "Too bad for him that he didn't manage to get a leader's jersey, having always placed second in the intermediate sprints. He deserved better for his courage. The other guys always were united in the last km around Modolo, our captain for today. It was oo bad with the timing of the sprint where we may have started too early with Ferrari first and then with Sacha. For the next few days I'm sure we will plan it better and we can get a better position.."