HTC-Columbia's André Greipel has clinched his third win in five days racing at the Tour of Turkey, blasting to victory in a bunch sprint at the end of the 221-kilometre stage from Denizli to Fethiye.  Following strong teamwork in the final kilometres, Greipel crossed the line three quarters of a bike length ahead of Italy's Mattia Gavazzi and Holland's Kenny Van Hummel for his ninth win of the season. The HTC-Columbia sprinter is now also leading in the points competition.

"It was a really tough stage with 2,500 metres of climbing straight after 3,000 metres the day before, but we managed to bring back a dangerous break with seven kilometres to go and then set things up for the sprint," commented Greipel. "We took the lead, the guys kept me up there and [HTC-Columbia's] Mark Renshaw and Frankie Rabon kept the pace high in the last couple of kilometres until I accelerated away myself. I went with maybe 300 metres to go, which was a long way out, but I knew if I didn't go early I'd get boxed in."

Greipel has never taken so many wins so early in the season and says he is hopeful his run of victories will continue. "This time last year I was out of racing because of a crash earlier in the season, so it's nice to be doing well and to be in good shape."
With three stages remaining, HTC-Columbia's Tejay Van Garderen remains in second overall, just 16 seconds down on Italian Giovanni Visconti. "Hopefully Tejay will stay up there in contention. So far it's looking very good," Greipel said. "Meanwhile, I'll keep focussing on the sprints."