Stage 4 is another not-so-long stage as 141 kilometers bring the riders from Lienz to St. Johann-Alpendorf east in Austria.
It’s another hilly stage, and just like yesterday favourites are Levarlet Schreurs Bibby
Different to yesterday the weather is magnificent in Lienz. It’s hot and no wind. It must be a pleasant sight for the riders as they prepare for another stage in Austria.
Salgueiro Lahsaini
were part of a breakaway of six as they approached the first climb of the day a few kilometers after the start in Lienz. They both attack for the ten mountain points on offer, and Salgueiro
wins them. The duo is only 30 seconds in front of the peloton with 131 kilometers to go.
With 118 kilometers to go we have a breakaway of six: Paulus Chernetskiy Lahsaini Salgueiro Squire Montenegro
But they are only 43 seconds clear of the bunch.
Squire
gets to roll first through the intermediate sprint four kilometers later as they try to extend their advantage. It’s not a simple task though, as they’re still no more than 45 seconds in front of the chasing peloton.
LukOil-Rostelekom
finally decides it’s time to let the six attackers go. 107 kilometers to go as they’re at the foot of the big .HC categorized climb, and the breakaway is two minutes ahead.
90 kilometers to go as the six escapers cross the summit. It’s a big surprise to see none of the attack for the points, and Squire
takes maximum 20 points ahead of Paulus Montenegro
They’re no less than 6’20 ahead of the bunch.
Speaking of the peloton, surprise, surprise Morabito
attacks for the remaining five mountain points and gets them ahead of Lejman
who gets four.
Salgueiro
understands what kind of mistake he did on the big climb and attacks and wins the 10 mountain points on offer with 58 kilometers to go. Paulus Squire
follow just behind as the camera man wasn’t ready when they crossed the summit and all you must settle with is a picture of them descending.
LukOil-Rostelekom
doesn’t look like they want to chase down the breakway today, and brave Reguigui
does all the chase himself as the peloton has descended down to the valley 60 kilometers away from home. He’s doing well, now being only 4’20 behind.
Montenegro
leads the breakaway through the second intermediate sprint of today’s stage. It’s isn’t looking good for them thinking of the stage win though. They’re 3’15 in front of the chasing bunch 47 kilometers away from home.
Squire
is first over the final climb of the day and adds another 10 mountain points to his account.
And look at the time gap! They’re 3’08 in front of the peloton with 26 kilometers to go and several of them being downhill! Are we looking at another breakaway win?
It’s definitely time to mention Morabito
then. He continued his attack after the .HC categorized climb 65 kilometers earlier today, meaning he has been solo since then. Now he’s 50 seconds behind the breakaway, but 2’10 clear of the bunch as he crosses the summit looking to succeed in his solo chase.
Teklehaimanot
leads the peloton over the climb 3’30 behind the leading six riders. Bouygues Telecom
has lined up five riders behind, but currently they aren’t contributing to the chase.
What a ride! Morabito
uses the intermediate sprint only 10 kilometers away from home to catch the six riders in the breakaway as they don’t sprint while Morabito
does! It’s a sensational solo chase which now has succeeded as the Suisse rider takes the six bonus seconds on offer. They’re definitely fighting for the stage win here. They’re 2’40 in front of the bunch.
Montenegro
decides this is the moment to go for it! 8 kilometers to go and he launches his bid for glory and quickly gains a gap of 20 seconds.
4.2 kilometers to and there is finally action back in the peloton. Kolobnev
leads out team mate Kunshin Bibby Scarponi Hesjedal Der Cataldo
But they’re still 2’40 behind Montenegro
as they launch the attacks. Though, it should be noted that the final 1.800 meters consists of steep climbing. Is that going to end the Colombian’s dream in tears?
Here he is! 1.500 meters to go and the road kicks with no less than 12 percent! Paulus
leads the chase and they’ve clawed back some seconds now, being 19 seconds behind the Colombian.
Morabito Squire
launch the sprint 1.400 meters from the line, and they quickly catch Montenegro!
It means we have six riders fighting for the stage win as Chernetskiy
isn’t able to keep up with the pace.
Under the kite and Morabito
thunders clear! Squire
is fading, but Salgueiro
is looking fast on the left.
Only 500 meters to go and no one looks able to challenge Morabito! Lahsaini
launch a final try on the outside of Salgueiro
though.
But this is Morabito’s
big, big day! A remarkable solo chase saw him catch the others only 10 kilometers away from home, but he still proves strongest in the sprint for the win.
Lahsaini Salgueiro Paulus Squire Montenegro
can only admit they wasn’t strong enough to follow the Suisse in the sprint, but they can still be satisfied with top six placings here on the fourth stage in Austria.
Chernetskiy
comes home seventh, about 50 seconds later.
Levarlet Bougyes
leads home a group of 8, where Iglinski Cataldo Scarponi Bibby Huzarski Hoogerland Kolobnev
follow. They have been able to gap the rest of the peloton in this steep sprint!
