Tirreno-Adriatico’s points leader, Peter Sagan, further cemented his position after a spirited ride in stage 4 of the race, finishing 7th in the sprint in Foligno. In a stage that was to favor the all-rounders, Peter showed fighting spirit as he attacked the peloton before contesting the final bunch sprint. The Maglia Rossa is his for another day.
The Race of the Two Seas reached its midway point today. With a challenging 222km route that passed over four categorised climbs, it was also the race’s longest day. This was a day when the climbers and all-rounders had a chance to make an impact on the standings.
After an early break, Tinkoff riders were instrumental in pulling in the gap. At 30km to go, after catching the lone breakaway rider, the race to the finish began, with teams wondering who was going to make the first move. With 7.9km to go, Sagan, wearing the Maglia Rossa of the points leader, made a move – testing the waters when the other riders were looking the other way – making his intention to take a stage win clear. A marked man in the peloton, however, this wasn’t to be. After a last minute attack by Stephen Cummings, the eventual stage winner, Peter contested the sprint with the peloton, taking 7th place.
Peter was pleased with his performance after a long day’s racing. “It was a really long day. I am happy it started raining after the finish, not before! I tried to attack but everybody wanted to catch me, although I did sprint and won the group.”
Lars Michaelsen, Tinkoff’s Sport Director, was pleased with the racing, but it was not without its frustrations. “We had a good day, apart from when Roman Kreuziger crashed with 46km to go. A rider fell in front and he had to wait a while for a bike. He got back on but it cost him.”
Michaelsen continued. “When the selection came on the final climb, only Roman and Peter made the front group. Roman was on the limit to do the job we planned for Peter. He managed to win the sprint behind the riders away showing his strength again but we were looking at today as a possibility to win. But circumstances were that we were limited at the end. Our strategy was good and we were there with the strongest in the finale but we were limited after Roman’s crash.”
Tomorrow’s route enters the mountains. Riders will face four categorised climbs, before the final uphill finish on the Monte san Vicino. After a comparatively flat route, this 176km stage will give the climbers a chance to make their mark on the race. Michaelsen was clear of the team’s intention. “We will continue to keep fighting.”
Stage Result
1. Stephen Cummings (GBR) Dimension Data 06:04:49
2. Salvatore Puccio (ITA) Team Sky +00:00:13
3. Natnael Berhane (Eri) Dimension Data +00:00:13
4. Daniel Moreno (SPA) Movistar Team +00:00:13
5. Jan Bakelants (BEL) AG2R La Mondiale +00:00:13
7. Peter Sagan (SVK) Tinkoff +00:00:25
39. Roman Kreuziger (CZE) Tinkoff +00:00:25
67. Oscar Gatto (ITA) Tinkoff +00:02:05
93. Manuele Boaro (ITA) Tinkoff +00:06:15
107. Daniele Bennati (ITA) +00:06:15
121. Maciej Bodnar (POL) Tinkoff +00:11:34
168. Adam Blythe (GBR) Tinkoff +00:19:55
173. Evgeni Petrov (RUS) Tinkoff +00:19:57
