Colombian cyclist Ivan Ramiro Sosa (28) won the third stage of the 2026 Tour of Turkey on Tuesday, April 29, with a solo attack on the Kiran pass. The Equipo Kern Pharma rider covered 134 kilometers in 3 hours, 40 minutes, and 25 seconds, and now leads the general classification by 13 seconds over Australian Sebastian Berwick of Caja Rural-Seguros RGA.
Sosa attacked decisively 4.8 kilometers from the finish, exploiting a moment of hesitation among the favorites. The hors catégorie climb reached gradients of 9.7%. With this win, Sosa earned his eighteenth professional victory and his first since joining the Navarrese team. Sosa was a member of star rider Nairo Quintana‘s Movistar team during the 2022–2024 seasons.
Decisive attack on the slopes of the Kiran pass
The stage started in Marmaris and represented the first major mountain challenge of the 61st edition of the Turkish race. During the opening kilometers, Equipo Kern Pharma controlled the peloton to prevent large breakaways. Marc Brustenga and Sergio Romeo worked during the approach to the climb, positioning Sosa in the front ranks. The main group thinned rapidly as the ascent became more difficult.
Sosa managed his strength through the most demanding sections before launching his individual offensive. He opened a 30-second gap over his pursuers on the climb toward the summit and, although Berwick attempted to catch him, the Colombian maintained the advantage until crossing the finish line alone. Thus, he returned to the podium four years after his last victory on the professional circuit.
“It was a very long effort; the team worked great throughout the day, and five kilometers from the finish, I saw a small lull in the group and decided to move,” Sosa explained. The rider admitted he suffered in the final stretch of the climb, but his determination allowed him to fulfill the objective set by the technical directors for the day.
Return after iliac artery surgery
This triumph holds special meaning for the 28-year-old cyclist. At the end of 2025, Sosa underwent surgery on his iliac artery to correct endofibrosis, an injury that limited blood flow to his legs during intense efforts. The operation was successful and allowed him to regain the power necessary to compete against the world’s best climbers.
“I want to dedicate this victory to my wife, my son, my family, and the entire Equipo Kern Pharma, who believed in me from the first moment,” the new leader declared. Sosa highlighted his satisfaction at repaying the trust of those who supported him during his recovery, a process he described as a turning point in his career.
Sosa jumps into the lead with Berwick and Breuillard as main rivals
The day’s result transformed the general classification of the Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye. Sosa jumped from 99th place to first, ahead of Berwick and Frenchman Nicolas Breuillard. The Spanish team also placed Ibon Ruiz in thirteenth position and Unai Ramos in seventeenth. Sprinters like Colombian Fernando Gaviria lost time on the ascent and fell back in the overall standings.
The fourth stage of the 2026 Tour of Turkey, covering 130.4 kilometers between Marmaris and Fethiye, was a transition day ending in a sprint. A seven-man breakaway reached a lead of three minutes but never jeopardized the outcome of a mass finish. They were finally caught after the day’s only categorized climb, a category three. From there, the peloton set a high pace for the sprinters’ finish, leaving no room for surprises. At the finish line, the fastest was Stanislaw Aniolkowski of Cofidis. Sosa remains in the leader’s jersey.