Bora Team Report
What was originally the Giro d’Italia’s longest road stage became the shortest today, with the planned 258km route being cut in distance to just 124.5km a short time before the day started. Heavy rain fell on the roads, which saw most of the riders start the day in jackets and leg warmers as the flag finally dropped to commence the stage in Abbiategrasso, some 130km further up the road from the original start location. Immediately, attacks came from the peloton as riders looked to make up for lost racing time, with BORA-hansgrohe trying to close this down, only for an unlucky puncture for Cesare Benedetti to slow their efforts.
From the Finish Line by Bora Team
“It is true that yesterday’s stage was very tough, with more than 5,800 metres of elevation gain and a climb over the Stelvio, that we had to leave our hotels this morning at 6am and that weather conditions were a bit difficult today. However, it was possible to race today and I think it was unfair to inform race organizers in the morning that there would be a strike. This isn’t professional, this isn’t the way it should be. There should be a procedure to discuss these issues after the end of the stage, in order to make future improvements, but the strike before the start wasn’t correct. We were absolutely ready to race the full stage, as scheduled.” – Ralph Denk, Team Manager
UAE Team Report
A strong team display from UAE Team Emirates saw Jasper Philipsen sprint home to second place on stage 4 of the Vuelta España from Garray to Ejea de los Caballeros (191.7 km)
Thanks to a superb lead-out which was spearheaded by Rui and Ivo Oliveira, Philipsen was able to arrive first into the final corner at 250 meters to go and got a huge jump on his rivals. Only stage winner Sam Bennett (Deceuninck-Quickstep) was able to come around the Belgian in the dying meters to snatch the victory.
Jasper Philipsen: “It went really well. The boys did an amazing job in the final just as we had planned. The whole time I was in pole position to take the win and with 50 meters to go I felt I had it. In the end, Bennett came from behind with a lot of speed. I have no regrets about my sprint, we did as planned as it didn’t quite work out. I’m a little bit disappointed not to get the win but it still gives me confidence for the other sprint stages”.
This marks the best result in a Grand Tour stage for Philipsen, who will now look towards the next sprint opportunity which is set to be on stage 9. David De La Cruz remains the best placed of the General Classification in 12th place at 2’31’’.
Tomorrow will see the riders go from Huesca to Sabiñanigo (184.4k) with 4 categorized climbs coming within the last 50 km.
Stage 4 Results:
1.Sam Bennett (Deceuninck-Quickstep) 3:53:29
2.Jasper Philipsen (UAE Team Emirates) s.t
3. Jakub Mareczko (CCC) s.t
General Classification after stage 4:
1.Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) 16h30’53”
2.Dan Martin (Israel Start-Up Nation) +5’’
3. Richard Carapaz (Ineos-Grenadiers) +13’’
