Volta ao Algarve 2018, Groenewegen takes the sprint in stage 4!

Dylan Groenewegen (Lotto Nl-Jumbo) wins the Volta ao Algarve 2018 stage 4. The Dutch sprinter wins the second stage out to two flat stages in this Vuelta ao Algarve, claiming in this manner his extraordinary condition and proving that Lotto Nl-Jumbo train improvements over the last few months. Dylan Groenewegen takes out the sprint over Matteo Pelucchi (Bora-hansgrohe), John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo), Florien Senechal (Quick Step Floors) and Jurgen Roelandts (BMC Racing). Today’s stage has not affected the overall classification, in which Geraint Thomas is leader again, pending tomorrow up-hill finish over Alto de Malhao ascent.

After 10 kilometers of racing Benjamin King (Team Dimension Data), Rory Sutherland (UAE Team Emirates), Julen Amezqueta (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), Bruno Silva (Efapel), Aleksandr Grigorev (Sporting-Tavira) and João Rodrigues (W52-FC Porto) attacks and open an advantage over the group. The breakaway extends its lead to 4’15” with over 150 kilometers to go. Benjamin King, who presumably escaped in order to get the KOM points, actually takes all the intermediate KOM sprints of the day. By the way the sprinters’ teams don’t want to lose the last sprint-friendly finish: consequently, the gap starts to lessen with 120 kilometers to go.

Bruno Silva is the first leader who is reeled by the peloton with over 18 kilometers remaining. As soon as the Portuguese is swallowed by the pack, Philippe Gilbert (Quick Step Floors), Dylan Teuns (BMC Racing), Guillaume Bonnafond (Cofidis) and Jasha Sutterlin (Movistar) attacks in turn and, together with the breakaway, struggle in order to keep the gap over the peloton. The bunch otherwise, headed by Lotto Nl-Jumbo, bridge the gap with authority with just over 2,5 kilometers to go, calling off the breakaway. The Dutch team approaches the last camber over the first positions of the pack and, with two mates leading their sprinter, Groenewegen wins the stage without exhitations.

Volta ao Algarve 2018 Stage 4 Classification

1 GROENEWEGEN Dylan Team LottoNL-Jumbo 4:33:49
2 PELUCCHI Matteo BORA – hansgrohe
3 DEGENKOLB John Trek – Segafredo
4 SÉNÉCHAL Florian Quick-Step Floors
5 ROELANDTS Jurgen BMC Racing Team
6 DUPONT Timothy Wanty – Groupe Gobert
7 HOFSTETTER Hugo Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
8 DE BUYST Jasper Lotto Soudal
9 VLIEGEN Loïc BMC Racing Team

Volta ao Algarve 2018 Stage 4 Overall Classification

1. Geraint Thomas (Sky) 10h01’58”
2. Michal Kwiatkowski (Sky) +22”
3. Nelson Oliveira (Movistar) +32”
4. Bob Jungels (QuickStep – Floors) +52”
5. Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) +53”
6. Bauke Mollema (Trek – Segafredo) +1’01”
7. Jaime Roson (Movistar) +1’18”
8. Maximilian Schachmann (QuickStep – Floors) +1’19”
9. Felix Grossschartner (Bora – Hansgrohe) +1’20”
10. Vasil Kiryienka (Sky) +1’24”

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