The 127.9 km queen stage from Antalya climbed to the brutal summit finish at Feslikan, the day that has historically decided this race. A breakaway stayed clear to the foot of the final climb and the young Italian climber Christian Bagatin (MBH Bank) held on to take the biggest win of his career at the top. Behind, the GC battle ignited on the steep slopes: Sebastian Berwick (Caja Rural - Seguros RGA) was the strongest of the favourites, riding into second on the stage at +1:01 and crucially distancing race leader Iván Sosa. Jordan Jegat (TotalEnergies) was the best of the rest in third. Berwick's effort flipped the overall, prising the turquoise jersey off Sosa's shoulders.

Berwick climbed into the overall lead on the Feslikan summit, with Sosa — distanced on the final climb — slipping to second by roughly five seconds. Kamiel Bonneu (Solution Tech - NIPPO - Rali) held third overall, with Jegat and Breuillard (TotalEnergies) completing the top five. Berwick also took the lead of the mountains classification. With only a circuit day in Antalya and the flat finale in Ankara remaining, Berwick was now in the driving seat to defend a slender but precious advantage.