Fourth stage is the hardest so far. A lot of riders with GC hopes should use this one to gain some time on Westra and the Gazelle boys. Also there's six categorized climbs in there making a break very lucrative today.
First attack happens a few kilometres from the top of the first climb. It's Hadi who tries to get away. Pirazzi follows.
Pirazzi takes the first climb ahead of Hadi and Bormatenkov.
Gazelle chased for a bit but realizes the three does not pose any big threat, so they let up the gap widens.
Hadi grabs full marks at the second climb ahead of Pirazzi. It's clear that Bormatenkov struggles on the hills compared to the other two.
Next climb is a 2nd Category and it comes right after the descent. As the front of the race nears the front the gap is out to 5'25 with 98 kilometres to go.
Pirazzi is strong and takes the climb as he closes in on the KoM jersey. He also opens a gap over the two others.
As we hit the bottom Pirazzi leads Hadi by 28 seconds and Bormatenkov is another 33 seconds back. Either they will come back together or Pirazzi is going for it.
Chaoufi has sent his troops to the front now. Good idea aswell as the gap to Pirazzi, who's still alone out in front leads by 7'01 with 82 kilometres left.
Pirazzi takes the next climb with the gap out to 55 seconds to Hadi.
Behind the pack a group of the heavier guys is dropped. Speirs, Nelson and Bennett are in there. They are not going to make it back today.
Pirazzi takes the penultimate climb aswell and the KoM jersey along with it. He leads Hadi by 1'53 and the pack by 4'11 with 45 kilometres left
Chaoufi looks ready.
With 24 kilometres to go Hadi is back in the pack. 3'25 to Pirazzi now. He is putting on a strong show here!
As we hit the lower slopes of the final climb the action is on in the pack and it is Bazhkou who kicks it off. He was one of the pre-race outsider and he is doing what he has to do here. Failli, Reis and Danielson goes with him.
It's controlled by Team Gazelle and Kenya Airways.
About halfway up the final climb Danielson goes again though. Reis and Bazhkou also gives it another go.
Let's not forget about Pirazzi now. The last time we checked he had a pretty substantial gap. Here he is now. Wow it seems like he is getting tired the pack is right behind and riders are swarming out of it!
Just 40 seconds behind Pirazzi seven riders have a 20-seconds advantage over the bunch.
Magna-Ryanair is not there with Ilias so they try and also manage to bring back this move.
Here goes Vorganov again though! He catches Pirazzi! Minnard is the first to counter but Lieuwe Westra is seemingly not going! Gazelle must be riding for Minnard then! Also Soto Pereira and Eibegger are countering.
Over the top it seems like the selection has been made. Eight riders have 41 seconds on the pack.
Soto Pereira Chaoufi Minnard Vorganov Failli Eibegger Danielson
And Pirazzi has managed to cling on!
Kiserlovski and Ilias are chasing behind.
Bazhkou wasted a lot of energy with attack on the earlier part of the climb but he has also managed to get clear of the peloton trying to chase down the leaders.
The pack has let up though. Very strange that Westra didn't go with this move, surely he would have the power to get away.
All the riders in front come together before the final sprint starts with 2,500 metres to go. Soto Pereira has a decent kick and he opens up early!
Eibegger and Vorganov draws level though!
1,700 metres to go!
Minnard now moves into the lead! Failli is also gaining speed!
In incredible fashion, Marco Minnard wins it for Gazelle! Nodoby expected him to be the captain here but he has really emerged in this race. What a win! Eibegger takes 2nd and Failli is 3rd.
Cardoso leads in the pack, 2'38 back, so the candidates for the overall has been narrowed down to a few men.
Marco Minnard now leads the race by 52 seconds over Soto Pereira with Eibegger in 3rd at 58 seconds. Kiserlovski takes over the Points jersey as he loses the KoM one to Pirazzi, who had a phenomenol ride today!
