photo credits @ ToO
A bunch sprint finish was the expected scenario at the end of the coastal route that concluded in Sohar. The day’s breakaway allowed Patryk Goszczurny to further solidify his gold jersey in the combativity classification, but not to dream of winning Stage 4. The two attackers of the day, caught with 3 km to go, made way for a hard-fought showdown won by Erlend Blikra (Uno-X Mobility).
The Norwegian sprinter, who had finished fourth on the opening stage, this time managed to beat all his rivals on the line. He finished ahead of very young French sprinter Emmanuel Houcou, 22, who came close to a major upset, and Juan Sebastian Molano, the winner at Bimmah Sink Hole three days ago. The sprinters’ battle did not affect the overall classification leaders. Mauro Schmid will start tomorrow’s final stage in the red jersey, but to keep it he will have to withstand the assault of the pure climbers on the way to the finish at Green Mountain.
Two riders in the breakaway
The meeting point was set by the sea at Al Sawadi Beach for the start of Stage 4, where Bart Lemmen (Visma–Lease a Bike) and Sergio Samitier (Cofidis) were absent. Among the 112 riders still in the race, Patryk Goszczurny (Visma–Lease a Bike) and Baptiste Veistroffer (Lotto–Intermarché), the two leaders of the combativity classification, immediately showed interest in the points on offer at the intermediate sprints. But only the 19-year-old Pole eventually managed to open a gap at km 2, alongside Belgian rider Warre Vangheluwe (Soudal–Quick Step). The duo reached the 30-km mark with a 2’30’’ lead, and as expected it was the gold jersey that crossed first at the As Suwayq sprint (km 39.6).
Jayco-AlUla keep an eye on the leading duo
The Jayco-AlUla team of overall leader Mauro Schmid took charge of controlling the attackers, keeping their advantage at around two minutes. That margin was reduced to 1’10’’ at the Saham intermediate sprint (km 113.5), where Goszczurny collected three points to secure the combativity classification outright. His mission accomplished, the two brave riders of the day nevertheless clung to a 50’’ lead as they entered the final 20 kilometres.
Blikra strikes
Hopes faded for the breakaway with a 30’’ advantage at 15 km from the finish, then just 15’’ with 5 km to go. The adventure ended for Goszczurny and Vangheluwe with 3 km remaining. Another battle was underway for sprinters’ positioning ahead of the finish. Under the flamme rouge, Alpecin-Deceuninck were the most visible at the front of the peloton. But on the finish line, it was Uno-X Mobility sprinter Erlend Blikra who imposed his power, ahead of young Frenchman Emmanuel Houcou and Juan Sebastian Molano.
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