'It's been a crazy week' - Turner lands maiden Grand Tour win after late call-up

Ineos Grenadiers' Ben Turner claimed victory on stage 4 of the Vuelta a España on Tuesday, beating Alpecin-Deceuninck duo Jasper Philipsen and Edward Planckaert in a perfectly timed sprint in Voiron, France.

Turner, who was a late replacement for Lucas Hamilton after the Australian climber withdrew due to illness, claimed his maiden Grand Tour stage win just days after being called up to the squad, and the 26-year-old was emotional in his post-race interview. 

"Yeah, I don't know what to say, to be honest. It's been such a crazy week, like super crazy," Turner said after his victory. "I wanted to come to La Vuelta, and I still had issues with my leg a lot since the Giro. And, yeah, the team really believed in me, and I went to Renewi, and then they said they needed me," he added.

This victory and his recent success in Poland mark a successful turnaround for Turner from his leg issue caused by a crash at the Giro d'Italia, which saw him miss the national championships.

There had been positive indications recently as Turner illustrated his excellent form with a stage win at the Tour de Pologne and claimed the points classification courtesy of two more 2nd place finishes before finishing 6th on the opening stage of the Renewi Tour in an established field, before receiving the late call-up.

The British rider suffered a mechanical on the opening stage of the Vuelta, which ruled him out of sprinting for the finish, and this made Tuesday's victory that bit more sweeter. 

"I was devastated on the first sprint when my chain came off. And I really believed in myself today. I felt really good all day," Turner explained.

Turner's victory wasn't just about a well-timed finish, as the British rider had to fend off one of the best sprinters in the world in Jasper Philipsen, wearer of the two Grand Tour leader's jerseys in 2025 alone, combined with an experienced lead-out rider in Edward Planckaert.

However, Turner backed his ability and, combined with the support from his teammates, found the winning formula.

"I just had the best guys around me, and really trusted what I had to do. And it just came perfect. It came perfect. It was the perfect finish for me, and I really believed in what I could do in that finish. And the last 100 felt so long. Oh, just amazing," said Turner.

Turner was grateful for the work of his teammates, in particular former World Champion Michał Kwiatkowski, who played an important role at the finish of the stage.

"Just thank you to the boys. I mean, just a great atmosphere at this race. And like, it's just been amazing, all of them, you know? And, just the last few weeks has been incredible. And also, like, what all the boys did today, and Kwiato, like, just unbelievable, in Poland and here. And for sure, all the results I had the last weeks wouldn't be without him."