Nicola Ruffoni has proved to be one of the best sprinters at the Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey, conquering a new third place in the second stage from Alanya to Antalya.

The rider of Bardiani – CSF was led out really well by his teammates and inside the last 2km took Mark Cavendish’s wheel. On the final straight he tried to pass Cavendish who took the win for the second day in a row. Neopro Paolo Simion also made it into the top 10, finishing 10th.

”With some corners and roundabouts, the last 5km weren’t easy and it was hard to follow Cavendish’s train on the road," Ruffoni said. "When we arrived under the flamme rouge I was in a really good position just behind Cavendish. With 100 meters to go I tried to jump out from his wheel but he was too fast, proving to be the strongest today too. Anyway it’s a new important podium. Now we look ahead and await new opportunites in the coming days.

“Perhaps yesterday I started too soon. I was well positioned today, but, for the second day running, I was taking on some really high level sprinters. But I’m getting into very good shape here in Turkey.”