🎥 Van Poppel interviewed as the winner in Turkey, but nothing could be further from the truth

Danny van Poppel seemed to have clinched a victory for his team BORA-hansgrohe on day three of the Tour of Turkey. The Dutch sprinter - actually serving as a lead-out, but sprint leader Sam Welsford had fallen behind - was the fastest in a somewhat hectic mass sprint. In the flash interview, he reacted to his performance, although he was later relegated in the standings, making Giovanni Lonardi the day's winner.

"Sam didn't get to sprint, so I could go for my own chances," began the ever-friendly Van Poppel, not yet aware that he would be relegated. "We've worked hard as a team here. We believe in our strength and never give up."

Van Poppel loves the Tour of Turkey

"This victory is really great, both for myself and for the team," continued the thirty-something. "The past few days it was always for Sam, but this time we heard pretty quickly via the radio that it would be for me. I'm very happy with this win. It feels really good."

When Van Poppel is then asked what else he hopes for in the Turkish stage race, he replies succinctly. "Another win!" he laughed. "No, seriously: day four is another completely flat stage, so we're going for Sam again. This race is very beautiful. It's one that really appeals to me. It always feels good to come back here," he concludes with praise for the organization. Whether that praise for the organization (or the jury) still holds, now seems to be the question...

Was Van Poppel rightfully relegated?

On social media, opinions seem divided regarding Van Poppel's demotion. Helicopter footage seems to indicate that the Dutchman indeed moves from left to right and back again. On the other hand, as Thijs Zonneveld also points out, the finish line itself is also heavily criticized. "What kind of finish is this, guys. Sprinting in a curve. Unbelievable that this is approved," writes the AD columnist on X.

"Danny van Poppel is actually just sprinting straight, but because they put the finish in a curve, it suddenly becomes deviating from your line," is a common reaction online. It will no doubt continue to be a topic of discussion...