Emotional Max Kanter secured his very first professional victory in Turkey: "I have always dreamed of this victory"

Max Kanter won the second stage of the Tour of Turkey on Monday afternoon. After a stage spanning over 190 kilometers from Kemer to Kas, the German rider from Astana Qazaqstan outpaced Henri Uhlig and Tobias Lund in a bunch sprint. Fabio Jakobsen fell behind during the race and lost his leader's jersey.

"I'm really very happy," he said in the flash interview. "This victory represents so much effort, hard work, and a lot of support from my girlfriend and family. The team believed in me today, and the mountain of work that my teammate Davide Ballerini did was truly amazing. He just returned from injury and might have had the legs to win himself but chose to help me instead. I've always dreamed of this win, and it had to come together sometime. Previously, there was always something missing."

For Kanter, it is his very first professional win. Throughout his career, the German has accumulated numerous podium finishes, including in major tours. In a few weeks, he will be at the start of his third Giro. "Hopefully, this is the beginning of something very beautiful, and we can put in a strong performance in the Giro too," concludes the German.