Team Novo Nordisk Battles Crosswinds in Tour of Istanbul Opener

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.”