TNN takes on one of cycling’s toughest climbs ever in Turkey

Stage 3 of Tour of Turkey was a unique one with the race finishing up the Babadag climb, one of the toughest faced in any UCI race. Team Novo Nordisk looked to conserve its efforts while looking for opportunities at the same time. Lucas Dauge was the first TNN rider home in 26th place.

General Manager Vassili Davidenko:

“Today was all about getting through the stage and conserving energy. There is still so much racing to come so it was important to be intelligent on such a hard climb. The boys all did really well, with Umberto going in an early move and Lucas leading the team home up the climb. All in all we’re happy and now have to start focussing on stages that will suit us.”

Lucas Dauge:

“It was a hard stage today with more than 3500m of elevation, the plan was to save the day for the next stage but the last climb was crazy long and steep. Umbe was in the break so it was good for us and I tried to do well but I lost 30 seconds before the last climb with some crashes in front of me in the downhill.”

“I have personally never done a climb like this in my life. It was something help. We’re really happy to have survived it now it’s onto the next stages.”