Tour of Turkey 2014 - Stage 8

The Tour of Turkey concluded with its eighth stage, a 121 kilometre race around the city of Istanbul. It was likely to be a sprint finish, and it was likely to be contested between Mark Cavendish, who had three wins already, and Elia Viviani, who had already taken a brace. Adam Yates of Orica-GreenEDGE would be attempting to keep his one second lead over Cofidis' Rein Taaramae.

The final stage saw a breakaway get away after twenty kilometres of hard fast racing. Valerio Conti of Lampre-Merida was joined by Paolo Colonna of Bardiani-CSF, Javier Aramendia of Caja Rural, Tomasz Kiendys (CCC Polsat), Nazim Bakirci (Torku Sekerspor), Youcef Reguigui of MTN Qhubeka and Javier Megias of Novo Nordisk. The break contributed well, but it would've taken a great effort to truly give the peloton the slip on stage eight.

Although the chase for the breakaway was otherwise well coordinated, a crash with thirty kilometres to go brought down the promising African rider Merhawi Kudus. It is suspected he suffered a broken collarbone, an all too common injury, which brought to an end a promising Tour for the young rider, he most certainly will be one for the future. 

With ten kilometres to go the breakaway was brought back and the peloton settled down for a final sprint finish. It was a case of keeping safe for Orica-GreenEDGE and Adam Yates as Mark Cavendish readied his sprint train for the run in to the line. Alessandro Petacchi did a great job for the Manx Missile, delivering him in first position on the last corner.

Cavendish didn't disappoint, winning his fourth stage of the week for Omega Pharma-Quickstep. As Cavendish celebrated Adam Yates crossed the line as winner of the 2014 Tour of Turkey, his first stage race victory as a professional. Yates has certainly surprised some this week, whereas fellow Brit Cavendish's success will come as no surprise.