Tour of Turkey: One-two on the Queen Stage, Brennan gets his sixth win

 

XDS Astana achieved a brilliant one-two on the queen stage of the Tour of Turkey - with a summit finish atop the 9-kilometer Akyaka-Kiran climb. Wout Poels claimed the stage, while Harold Martin Lopez secured second place. Both XDS Astana riders attacked from the favorites group a few kilometers from the summit. Wout Poels attacked again going solo to take a nice win.

"I think it was a really good day, and the team performed at a high level - especially considering the tough and dangerous conditions, with very slippery roads due to the rain. In the finale, I was still with Harold in the lead group, so we had the opportunity to play two cards. I managed to go clear and take the win, and it's great that Harold was able to follow it up with second place. This year I joined XDS Astana Team, and I'm rallying thankful for this opportunity to show what I can do. So yes, it was a great day =  if we forget the rain."

-Wout Poels

Tour de Romandie Stage 1:

British teen, Matthew Brennan convincingly won the first stage of the Tour de Romandie. The 19-year-old Brit of Team Visma Lease a Bike took his sixth win of the season and will start tomorrow in the yellow leader's jersey.

"Once we survived the last climb, I knew there was a chance we could sprint for the win. It was a chaotic sprint. I had to constantly fight to keep the good wheel and towards the end I was even a little more in front than I would have liked. I stayed calm and luckily was able to finish it off."

-Matthew Brennan