The first podium of the season in Bardiani-CSF 7 Saber colors comes thanks to Nikita Tsvetkov, who was among the protagonists of stage five of the Tour of Turkey (Patara–Kemer, 180.7 km). The Uzbek rider finished third in a very competitive sprint, behind Casper van Uden and Marcin Budzinski.

The stage, marked by numerous breakaway attempts throughout the day, was decided in a bunch sprint after the peloton controlled all the attacks, staying compact until the final kilometers.

For Tsvetkov, this result confirms his strong start to the season with the Uzbek national team, with which he had taken both a stage win and the overall classification at the GP Fergana. A strong performance also from young Tuscan rider Lorenzo Conforti, who finished eighth and secured a place in the day’s top 10.

Nikita Tsvetkov said:
“It was a very fast and nervous stage, with many breakaway attempts. In the final, the team did a great job to position me well. I gave everything in the sprint and I’m satisfied with third place. After my results with the Uzbek national team, it was important to deliver a result with this jersey as well. This podium gives me confidence for the next stages.”

RESULTS – FIFTH STAGE – TOUR OF TURKEY:

1.Casper Van Uden (OLA/Picnic PostNL) – 4:06:09

2.Marcin Budzinski (POL/MBH Bank CSB Telecom-Fort) – s.t.

3.Nikita Tsvetkov (UZB/Bardiani CSF 7Saber) – s.t.

4.Dario Igor Belletta (ITA/Polti VisitMalta) – s.t.

5.Davide Ballerini (ITA/XDS Astana) – s.t.

6.Stefano Oldani (ITA/Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) – s.t.

7.César Macías (MEX/Burgos Burpellet BH) – s.t.

8.Lorenzo Conforti (ITA/Bardiani CSF 7Saber) – s.t.

9.Jonas Rickaert (BEL/Alpecin-Premier Tech) – s.t.

10.Henok Mulubrhan (ERI/XDS Astana) – s.t.