“I’ve had a very bad spell” - Iván Sosa with emotional comeback win at the 2026 Tour of Turkey

The win on stage 3 of the Tour of Turkey 2026 was more than just another result for Iván Sosa. It closed the door on several difficult years. The Colombian took the race’s queen stage with the summit finish on Kiran. For Equipo Kern Pharma, it sets up an ideal scenario to fight for the overall clqassification, now led by their rider.

“I’m very happy, really happy, because I’ve gone through a very bad spell where I didn’t know what was happening,” the Colombian admitted after the stage, recalling the physical issues that had hampered his recent form. After a surgery last year, he said he has finally found answers: “We managed to solve that problem and that gives me a lot of peace of mind.”

Sosa also highlighted the support he received in the toughest moments, underlining the role of those closest to him. “This win is for everyone who helped me: my wife, my son, my family and, of course, the team,” he said, visibly emotional after raising his arms again, something he had not done for several seasons.

His last win had come at the 2022 Tour of Langkawi. Just like Nairo Quintana at the Volta a Asturias a few days ago, both riders took their first wins in the space of four years almost simultaneously.

Far from a calculated move, the decisive attack came from pure instinct on the 9 kilometer climb that averaged almost 10%. “I hadn’t planned it,” he admitted. “It was even feeling long because I didn’t remember it being so hard,” he added of the finale. He still read the moment to perfection: “I saw everyone hesitating and thought we had nothing to lose by trying.”

That decision was enough to split the race and secure a victory that also put him in the overall lead. A statement of intent that confirms his return to top competitive level, although to win the overall classification it will be necessary to replicate such performances on several other instances throughout this week in Turkey.

With the leader’s jersey on his shoulders, Sosa does not hide his ambition, though he prefers to remain grounded. “The victory gives us a lot of hope and confidence,” he said, aware there is still a lot of racing to come. “We know there are very strong riders, so we’ll try to defend the overall.”

Even so, he does not shy away from the goal: “If we can win, it would be fantastic,” he concluded. A clear message from a rider who, after years of uncertainty, once again feels relevant and competitive in the international peloton.