The Tour of Turkey finished with a deserved overall victory for Kristijan Durasek (Lampre-Merida).

However, the Croatian nearly lost it all last night when both he and teammate Ily Koshevoy showed symptoms of viral gastroenteritis, possibly caused by food contamination. Under the supervision of the doctor Beltemacchi , Durasek could start the stage without fever and gastric disorders while Koshevoy had to leave the race.

Durasek made it to the finish to secure the overall victory while sprinter Sacha Modolo decided to stay with his captain. For Team Lampre Merida, the best rider was Richeze in 36th, 18 seconds behind the winner in a group with Ferrari and Durasek.

”Yesterday evening when I had the first symptoms during the transfer by plane to Istanbul, I was really worried. I thought that I would not be able to start this morning," he said.

"Thanks to the support from our Doctor Beltemacchi, the situation was quiet and this morning I was already better, even if the feeling of being drained from energy drain remained during the stage.

"I was really ill with a temperature of 38, a bad stomach and everything. I didn’t know if I’d start today or not. In the morning, I said to myself, I have to try. It was hard for me yesterday and today.

"Yesterday evening I could not eat anything for dinner while this morning I only managed to eat a little portion of rice for breakfast and I raced the entire stage eating only bread.

"I must thank the team that was close to me until the last meter of the stage. It is with regret that I have received the news of the withdrawal of Rebellin after the crash. I know as an athlete how you feel in these circumstances after having fought throughout the competition. You see all your efforts come to nothing. I wish him all the best for a speedy recovery.

"I honestly do not believe that I will be able to deliver a great party this evening. My first thought and intention is to get to bed now. But I will do a small effort do celebrate with my teammates and all the staff in the evening. They deserve it.

"It means a lot. It’s my second victory for Lampre and I’m very happy with it. 

"Normally I’m always calm, taking everything easy, in the race it’s like that. Always easy. 

"I knew that I was going well, but it’s difficult to say ‘I’ll win it’ before the race, because you never know. I came here for victory, like at a lot of races, but this time I have done it.

"It doesn’t change a lot. The team knew my characteristics. In some races I have to help my team-mates, and in others I can ride for myself.

"In theory, my next race is a Grand Tour. Now we have some ill riders, so I will see. Maybe the Giro d’Italia, but otherwise, Dauphine and Tour.

"I want to win a stage in a Grand Tour, it would be a dream come true, or a big classic."

Durasek is the one of the best Croatian riders and he had big hopes for the revamped Tour of Croatia.

"The Tour of Croatia is a Category 1 race, and the Tour of Turkey is HC, so this is more important. I hope I can ride the Tour of Croatia next year, but they have to change the dates, because with the classics, Trentino and Turkey, there are a lot of races. If they want bigger teams, they will have to change the dates.