Cycling: The same picture of victory in East Tyrol as the day before yesterday in Bad Ischl: The Italian top sprinter Oscar Gatto won the mass sprint of the fourth stage of the 66th Int. Tour of Austria from Kitzbühel to Matrei/Osttirol (171,9 km) in front of the Spaniard Jose Lobato and the Austrian Marco Haller. Pete Kennaugh remains the leader in the overall standings.
The fourth stage of the 66th International Tour of Austria started in Kitzbühel in pouring rain. After the Wiesbauer mountain classification at Pass Thurn, a three-man breakaway group formed at kilometer 30 on the ascent to the Felbertauern Pass. Giro stage winner Marco Canola (Bardiani CSF), Pawel Polianski (TCS), and Marco Minnaard (Wanty – Groupe Gobert) extended their lead to over two minutes by the time they reached the Felbertauern tunnel. After passing through Lienz for the first time, their advantage had stabilized at over four minutes.
Minnaard had bad luck immediately after the last "Wiesbauer" mountain classification Fronstadl. The Dutchman had a defect and was soon swallowed up by the peloton. Up front, Canola, who won the 13th stage of the Giro d'Italia and the mountain classification at Tirreno-Adriatico this year, and Polianski fought a heated duel with the peloton. With 20 kilometers to go, the duo still had a two-minute lead. But just five kilometers before the finish line, the two pros died and their 120-kilometer run came to an end.
Oscar Gatto ultimately prevailed in a thrilling mass sprint against Spaniard Jose Lobato (Movistar) and Carinthian Katusha rider Marco Haller. "That was fantastic again today! To win, you need three things, which I currently have: a great team, perfect legs, and mental strength. I've had all of that since my victory two days ago ," rejoiced the Italian Gatto, who has also won a stage at the Giro d'Italia, at the finish line. Marco Haller was satisfied this time: "My teammates gave me great support, and we tried everything, but Oscar is simply unbeatable right now."
The fourth stage to East Tyrol brought no changes to the overall standings: Briton Pete Kennaugh, who finished tenth today, continues to lead by 29 seconds over Damiano Caruso (Cannondale) and 40 seconds over Javier Moreno (Movistar). "That was a trouble-free stage for us today ," said the overall leader.
Wels Gourmetfein professional Patrick Konrad, who lives near Laxenburg in Lower Austria, has led the U25 youth classification, powered by Tchibo, since the first stage. The 22-year-old talent is 1:28 minutes ahead of Dane Jesper Hansen and 1:29 minutes ahead of yesterday's stage winner Dayer Quintana. In the overall standings, the young star maintained his fifth place today. "The halfway point of the tour is over; now come the next two very tough stages with the Grossglockner and Dobratsch ," said Konrad, who, as a strong time trialist, is expected to make another leap forward, especially in the individual time trial in Podersdorf on Lake Neusiedl.