In the mainly flat opening stage of 135 kilometers between Side and Antalya, Luca Van Boven (Bingoal WB) was one of the riders who made themselves known with an attack, but at the end the expected bunch sprint still happened. The 36-year-old Dupont, who after several years in the WorldTour is now racing at the third level of cycling, achieved a clear lead. It was only Dupont’s first day of racing for 2024. Italians Giovanni Lonardi and Alberto Bruttomesso finished second and third respectively.
Dupont is also the first leader in the Tour of Antalya, in which three Belgian teams participate. Tomorrow/Friday’s ride involves climbing to over 1,200 meters above sea level, but the finish afterwards is along the coast.