Results Tour of Turkey 2026 stage 3 | Iván Sosa wins queen stage and puts Kern Pharma in pole position to win the GC

Stage 3 of the Tour of Turkey was always going to be a key day for the overall classification, and it delivered. On the steep summit finish to Kiran, it was Iván Sosa who delivered the best climbing performance on the day; and has taken Equipo Kern Pharma into the race lead.

The breakaway of the day was formed by Jonas Rickaert, Rudolf Remkhi and Mustaka Tekin. The trio never threatened the peloton much, with all bullets being saved towards the final climb to Kiran - 9 kilometers at 9.7%. Remkhi would be the last of the front riders caught, still with 32 kilometers to go.

As the riders began the final climb, Sergio Samitier of Cofidis quickly attacked, although his move was short-lived due to the high pace of TotalEnergies who looked to be working for Jordan Jegat. The climb would force several of the main favourites into difficulties early on such as Byron Munton and Abel Balderstone who weren't in contention for a top result.

With 5 kilometers to go Kamiel Bonneu attacked in the peloton and Iván Sosa followed. Shortly after, the Colombian rider moved off the front by himself with a strong pace that no-one could match. It was a very difficult climb however were pacing was key, and whilst a few riders began struggling, others began coming from behind quite quickly.

With 2 kilometers to go Sosa held a lead of of 15 seconds to Alessandro Fancellu; whilst Nicolas Breuillard and Fancellu's teammate Bonneu at 20. The Colombian featherweight was the strongest on the day however and took the stage win; but only with a few seconds over the resurging Sebastien Berwick who finished only a few seconds behind. Nicolas Breuillard finished third as Jordan Jegat also fully cracked in the finale. The climbers will still have to face more difficult stages however, and Sosa's victory in the race is far from assured.