Tour of Istanbul

Team Novo Nordisk took on the Tour of Istanbul, which kicked off with an exciting 160.2 km first stage through some of Turkey’s stunning landscapes. 

The route led the peloton through rural and scenic settings, showcasing both Turkey’s natural beauty and its cultural heritage, including landmarks like the majestic Blue Mosque, offering riders and fans alike breathtaking views of Istanbul’s skyline.

The day began with an early breakaway that formed shortly after the neutral start, with several teams eager to animate the race. However, teams Lotto Dstny and TotalEnergies quickly took control of the peloton, pacing steadily to keep the breakaway in check. The group, determined but ultimately outpowered by the peloton, managed to hold a gap for much of the race before being reeled in with about 20 kilometers to go, setting up a fast, tactical finale.

“Our goal was to place a rider in the breakaway, but that didn’t happen. Adapting to the situation, we shifted focus to maintaining a strong position in the peloton and supporting each other throughout the stage. Staying attentive in the final kilometers was crucial as the pace ramped up for the bunch sprint,” said Daniel Holt, general manager of the Development Team. 

Quinten de Graeve, the team’s first finisher, said: “After Hainan, I had a hard time dealing with the jet lag. Today, I didn’t feel super strong either, and we were all surprised by the crosswind 30 km from the finish. I wasn’t strong enough to follow the 1st group and ended up in the 2nd group with Hamish, Anton, and Umberto. Because it was unclear how many riders were in front, I still wanted to finish well. Despite a crash early in the race, in which Anton was also caught, we rode well as a team, and the Devo boys also showed that they are strong and motivated.”

Stage 2 of the Tour of Istanbul, a 130-kilometer route that started and finished in the scenic coastal town of Şile, offered both excitement and challenge. With two Category 3 KOM climbs and two intermediate sprints, this stage was set to test the Team Novo Nordisk riders’ endurance and tactical skills. The race showcased not only the landscape’s beauty but also the talents of young riders looking to make their mark on the professional circuit.

Right from the early kilometers, Team Novo Nordisk Development Team’s stagiare Hamish Armitt made his presence known by securing a spot in the breakaway group, that managed to stay away from the peloton for the majority of the stage. For a rider in his first professional race, this was an impressive performance.

After the race, Daniel Holt, the Team Novo Nordisk Development team’s manager, said:

“Hamish did a great job. This is his first race as a stagiare with the pro team, and he’s already showing his strong form! We’re incredibly proud of how he’s performed today. To be in the breakaway in his first pro race is no small feat, and it shows his courage and willingness to compete.”

Hamish Armitt said: “I felt really strong. After missing a good GC spot yesterday due to the crosswinds split, I was motivated to get into the breakaway today. I was the last rider to make it across to the break. I was working very well, but around 60km in, I had some technical problems and had to chase back solo for 30 minutes. I caught back up, and the break worked well together until we were caught at the bottom of the last main climb. I eased in after that, saving my legs for another hard stage tomorrow.”

“The team has a great atmosphere, and it’s nice to get advice from some of the more experienced riders, as this is my first year of cycling.”

Photo credit: Brian Hodes

Stage 3 of the Tour of Istanbul was an exciting and challenging ride, starting from Beykoz and finishing in Polonezköy. Team Novo Nordisk faced a 113.3 km route that included 1,671 meters of climbing. The stage was swift, with riders averaging a speed of 41.5 km/h, traversing through some of Turkey’s most scenic locations, including stunning views of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. 

As the race unfolded, it was clear that the peloton was highly active. Several breakaways were attempted, but ultimately, the teams Lotto Dstny and TotalEnergies led the charge towards the final kilometers. 

The general manager of Team Novo Nordisk Development Team Daniel Holt said: “Following yesterday’s breakaway, we were feeling motivated, but unfortunately, we couldn’t get into the break today. Instead, we focused on working within the peloton and conserving energy for tomorrow’s final stage.“

Hamish Beadle said: “We all worked pretty well together today and managed to make it over the first climbs after a super tough start. We changed plans pretty late in the race, as I started to feel better and better. Towards the end it was just a matter of positioning and I wasn’t quite there, so bittersweet to feel so good but not be able to back it up with a result. Anyway we are making good progress and it’s great to see the boys getting stuck in!”

Photo credit: Brian Hodes

Team Novo Nordisk wrapped up the Tour of Istanbul with a top-10 finish after Hamish Beadle sprinted to an impressive 7th place. It was a fast-paced final stage, the shortest of the event, covering just 83 kilometers through the heart of the city. The route was flat, creating an intense and dynamic race.

Throughout the stage, the peloton was highly active, with multiple breakaway attempts keeping the competition fierce.

Team Novo Nordisk Development Team General Manager Daniel Holt commented: “Today’s stage was quick, and we aimed for a strong finish. The team gave their best effort, and we managed to secure a top-10 finish! Overall, the tour was a valuable experience, especially for our young development riders, who gained crucial racing knowledge from the pros. They worked well together as a team throughout the entire event.”

Hamish Beadle said: “Once again, the guys showed their experience and kept Umberto and me in great position for most of the stage. I’ve been very impressed with how everyone has been riding together this past week. I didn’t have the best legs, so we decided to sprint for Umberto. However, after the rain started, I was in my element and regained my legs and confidence. The final 3 km were nearly perfect for me, but a crash with 400m to go made me lose the second wheel going into the finish, and I was left to sprint alone from 400m. I’m happy with a top 10, but again, it’s bittersweet!”

Photo credit: Cenk Ordu