Not extended by INEOS Grenadiers This winter after last three loss seasons (only 4 successes), Elia Viviani had ended up bouncing on the side of Belgium and the Lotto Cycling Teamwith whom he had signed for a year at the end of February. But at 36, the sprinter took a long time before regaining confidence, signing first weeks of complicated competition without result … until this 7th stage of the Turkey Tour SATURDAY ! Winner in front of the other big name of the sprint present on the Turkish event, Alexander Kristoff (UNO-X Mobility), the Italian came to win his 90th professional victory, he who had no longer lifted his arms from the Tour of Guangxi 2023 ! What perhaps put it back on good rails after this difficult period, as he mentioned after the race at the microphone of Jean-François Quénet.
Video – Elia Viviani won the 7th stage this Saturday
“I must first thank Lotto and Stéphane Heulot for giving me this chance”
“I was without a team this winter, it was not normal for me. At 36, it was not an easy situation. I have always said that I wanted to do one more year, maybe two if I was still competitive and today I showed that I was. I must first thank Lotto and the manager Stéphane Heulot for giving me this chance. There were only one day races on my program and I told the team that I really needed a stages race to put myself in the rhythm. They offered me the Tour of Türkiye and I have a very special feeling with this race. Whenever I came, I left with a victory, it’s fantastic.
In 2010, my first professional victory took place here, now this is the first of this year and I hope it will not be the last. The first in Antalya 15 years ago was chaotic because André Greipel’s train fell in the last turn, a guy attacked and I followed him. The memories of Turkey are all good because the organization of the race is excellent, the runners are well treated with beautiful hotels and beautiful places by the sea, I always appreciate being here, congratulations to all those who are involved in this event.”
“An important victory for me … I want to win again tomorrow”
“We always think that there are five or six chances for sprinters in this race, but when we look at the course closer, we realize that it is more difficult every year. The first two sprints took place in reduced platoons and I was not able to be in the first group for sprinter for victory. During the week, I did not start panicking but I thought that the chances were more and more thin. This morning, we knew that the wind and the coast 30 km from the finish could be problematic, but I went well. We have always been active when there was a long -off wind and we approached the final in good position, thanks to Jasper de Buyst who is one of the best launchers in the world. I am happy to find this solution in the team. With the fort from the front at the end, I had to wait for the last 50 meters to exceed them.
When I don’t win races for a long time, my morale is low. For the moment, I just want to take advantage of this victory. It is an important victory for me. I want to win again tomorrow. It will be the grand final of the Tour of Türkiye. The most difficult thing for us, sprinters is to break the ice in a season. With good morale for me and for the team, we can try again.”
