There are only six days to the start of the most important race of the year for the Southeast team. The Tuscan squad has found the right confirmation in Turkey.

Form the first stage until the last today in Istanbul, the Southeast team always worked hard to do their best, in the breakaways, in the mountains and in the final sprints. Today it was a 4th place for Alessandro Petacchi, a great result a week before the Big Start.

“We worked well“, says the sports director Giuseppe Di Fresco. “Dal Col, Conti and Carretero to catch the breakaway, in order to protect Petacchi, Belletti and Zhupa. The puncture for Eugert in the last kilometers was a pity! He was able to help his teammates at the finish as he did everyday. The finale was hard and this 4th place is a great result. Alessandro is fine and ready for the Giro. With Belletti, he can do well. Also Carretero did great work this year and will be able to help the team."

“My first race with the professionals," says the sports director Andrea Bardelli. “A great experience, in a serene ambience. Petacchi is a big champion, with great modesty, and all the riders worked well. This Tour of Turkey has been a wonderful experience for me.“

Alessandro Petacchi is happy too: “Today the team worked for me. The final was hard and Belletti helped me until the last meters. Even without a podium, I obtained a great result. This Tour of Turkey has been useful to prepare for the Giro d’Italia: I’m very fine and I will try to obtain a better result during the Giro!“