photo credit @ Team Sky
Wouter Poels (Sky) claimed stage 4 of this year’s Tirreno – Adriatico today, with a last minute breakaway move on the day’s final climb in Castelraimondo.
Today’s victory not only netted Poels the stage win, but also moved the Dutch rider into the overall race lead as well.
Race Finale
A late breakaway group containing Michele Scarponi (Astana), Giovanni Visconti (Movistar), Julian Arredondo (Trek Factory Racing) and Dani Moreno (Katusha), succeeded in escaping off the front during the final 13 kilometers of today’s 266 kilometers stage.
However, the escapee’s time out front was quickly curtailed, as the group was caught by the peloton just a further 2 kilometers later.
From there, AG2R La Mondiale came to the fore, with the hopes of setting up their man Domenico Pozzovivo. However, Poels then came out of nowhere, with a furious surge over the top of the final climb – to take over the lead.
As Poels proceeded down the final 6 kilometer descent to the finish, he was holding onto a 19 second lead over the chase, while Team Katusha continued to push a furious pace from behind.
As the race headed into the final 3 kilometers, Poels was still holding onto a 14 second lead over the chase.
And, as Poels hit the final kilometer banner, he was still holding onto a 17 second gap. And, from there, the 27-year old Dutchman proceeded to sail to victory, crossing the finish 14 seconds ahead of his closest rivals, Rigoberto Uran (Etizz-Quick-Step) and Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha).
Meanwhile, Greg Van Avermaet finished 2:12 down from the winner, consequently relinquishing the blue leader’s jersey to Poels.
“It was perfect timing. It worked pretty good,” said Poels of his late attack. “I’m in really good shape so I’m not really afraid for the stage tomorrow.”
Stage 4 Results
NED 1 POELS, Wouter (SKY) 5:53:38 COL 2 URAN URAN, Rigoberto (ETIXX – QUICK STEP) + 14 ESP 3 RODRIGUEZ OLIVER, Joaquin (KATUSHA) FRA 4 VUILLERMOZ, Alexis (AG2R LA MONDIALE) ITA 5 NOCENTINI, Rinaldo (AG2R LA MONDIALE) CZE 6 KREUZIGER, Roman (TINKOFF – SAXO) ITA 7 CARUSO, Giampaolo (KATUSHA) COL 8 QUINTANA ROJAS, Nairo Alexander (MOVISTAR) BEL 9 VAN DEN BROECK, Jurgen (LOTTO SOUDAL) GBR 10 YATES, Adam (ORICA GreenEDGE)
General Classification after Stage 4
NED 1 POELS, Wouter (SKY) 14:28:18 COL 2 URAN URAN, Rigoberto (ETIXX – QUICK STEP) + 17 GBR 3 CUMMINGS, Stephen (MTN – QHUBEKA) + 26 FRA 4 PINOT, Thibaut (FDJ) CZE 5 KREUZIGER, Roman (TINKOFF – SAXO) + 27 ESP 6 CASTROVIEJO NICOLAS, Jonathan (MOVISTAR) + 28 NED 7 MOLLEMA, Bauke (TREK FACTORY RACING) SVK 8 SAGAN, Peter (TINKOFF – SAXO) + 30 ITA 9 NIBALI, Vincenzo (ASTANA) + 31 ESP 10 CONTADOR VELASCO, Alberto (TINKOFF – SAXO) + 32Ti
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