Cavendish lost his leader jersey yesterday, but that was expected on a very tuff hilly day…The Spaniard Jose Manuel Diaz (Delko) has won the 5th stage in the Tour of Turkey and takes over the GC lead. Jesse Ewart (IRL)moves up 88 places in the GC!

56th Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey (2.Pro) Stage 5: Kemer >> Elmali (160.3km)

The Spaniard Jose Manuel Diaz has won the 5th stage in the Tour of Turkey. Delko’s rider was the strongest of a group on the flanks of the grueling final climb. Diaz also takes over the jersey from Mark Cavendish. In the 160 km stage between Kemer and Elmali, there had to be a lot of climbing on Thursday, with a 3rd category climb and two 1st category climbs. The final 11.5 km climb to Elmali had a few strips with a gradient of 15%., Not something Mark Cavendish’s relishes and who could leave the initiative to the climbers after 3 stage wins in a row. At 10 kilometers from the finish line, Mark had to let go and just went up on his own speed, he lost of course his leader jersey but will start today in the Green jersey.

On the final climb, a hunt was made for a leading group that had coloured the course but fell short of being rewarded for it. Joel Suter was picked up as the last remaining fugitive at more than 3 kilometers from the finish. In a nerve-racking end, the Dane Charmig was the first to throw his trumps on the table. The young Dane initially punched a hole but was unable to hold it. The Spaniard Diaz had the most gravy in the legs of the quintet that competed for the day’s victory. Our Irish warriors in the race Jesse Ewart moved up 88 places in the GC with a 32nd place today only 3m23s to the winner, and lays now 32nd in the GC. His compatriot Cormac Mc Geough about 10m40s down but also moves 71 places up in the GC in 77th place.