Tour of Turkey: Ulissi secures overall victory in Istanbul

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Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates) secured overall victory at the Tour of Turkey after defending his slim lead on the final stage in Istanbul.

Jesper Hansen (Astana) was second on the general classification at 12 seconds, with Fausto Masnada (Androni Giocattoli) rounding out the GC podium at 29 seconds.

Sam Bennett (Bora-Hansgrohe) was the favourite to win the sprint finish on the slightly uphill finish after taking four sprint wins in the race so far. He was well placed when Edward Theuns (Trek-Segafredo) tried to split the peloton at the foot of the climb and was able to follow him, as was his Bora-Hansgrohe teammate Matteo Pelucchi.

Bennett moved past Theuns before the final corner to take Pelucchi's wheel. However he went into the corner too fast and slid out. Theuns had to break to avoid him but had a gap on the chasers and the power to close the gap on Pelucchi and then beat him.

Theuns and Trek-Segafredo had endured a frustrating week of placing as they tried to take on Bennett. It was Theuns' last race with the team and he was especially happy to sign off with a win. He also won the points jersey after Bennett failed to score points on the final stage.

The final 143km stage at the Tour of Turkey started and finished in the capital Istanbul, with the race bridging two continents, starting in Asia and then crossing to the European side of Istanbul for the finish.

"I came to Turkey with the intention to win the general classification. It was a challenging goal, but my teammates and I have been impeccable all week, a magnificent week," Ulissi said.

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