Cycling: Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Floors) has won stage four of the Critérium du Dauphiné. The Frenchman won the section – which was to his liking due to the short final climb – ahead of Daniel Martin (UAE Team Emirates). The German Emanuel Buchmann (Bora-hansgrohe), who finished seventh, also presented himself very well. Two places behind was Gianni Moscon (Sky), who took the lead in the overall standings.
Kick-off to the second half of the Dauphiné
After a prologue, a team time trial and two stages for the sprinters, the Critérium du Dauphiné continued today with a completely different character. Four mountain stages – and even mountain arrivals – are on the program until Sunday. The 181 kilometers from Chazey-sur-Ain to Lans-en-Vercors started today. After the Col de Toutes Aures and the Col du Mont Noir at the end of the stage, there was still the 4,8 km long and 7,5 percent steep final climb to overcome. Surprising therefore that with Bryan coquard (Vital Concept) and Jens Keukeleire (Lotto Soudal) lost two sprinters in the escape group of the day. After all, Keukeleire was allowed to virtually wear the yellow jersey for a short time.
Cataldo tries it as a soloist
The two sprinters had just as little chance of winning the stage as their companions Lukas Pöstlberger (Bora-hansgrohe), Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data), Simon Clarke (EF Education), Odd Christian Eiking (Wanty Groupe Gobert) and Arnaud Courteille (Vital concepts). Not only because the peloton stopped them in time, but also because with Dario Cataldo (Astana) was a much stronger climber. After Odd Christian Eiking was able to free himself from his companions, Dario Cataldo reacted a little later and closed the gap. He then shook off his colleague and from then on was on the road as a soloist. Behind him, a chasing group formed with his former companions, Edward Ravasi (UAE Team Emirates) and Ian Boswell (Katusha-Alpecin). However, this Cataldo could not really follow, because the Italian was able to extend his lead further and further. When he had a lead of more than two minutes, the group was placed by the favorite field. The hunt for Cataldo began.
Alaphilippe & Moscon cheer
For a long time it looked as if Cataldo could keep ahead of the favorites until the end. It was only when the pace picked up over the last few kilometers and the Italian was visibly struggling that the lead was drastically reduced. But even a 50-second lead with 2.000 meters to go shouldn't be enough. The favorites started attacking each other and the pace didn't slow down anymore. On the contrary: The pace was so high that even some well-known professionals had real problems. leader Michal Kwiatkowski (Sky) lost time as well as Marc Soler (Movistar) and Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida). However, the arrival was to his liking Julian Alaphilippe (Quick Step Floors). The Frenchman fought a duel in the last meters Daniel Martin (UAE Team Emirates) and won it in the uphill sprint. The two also crossed the finish line at the same time Geraint Thomas (Sky) and Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale). However, the new overall leader is the stage ninth Gianni moscon (Sky). The Italian lost just eight seconds to the day's winner. The best German came in seventh Emmanuel Buchman (Bora-hansgrohe). Due to the weak team time trial, however, he is still outside the top 10 in the overall ranking.
Julian Alaphilippe wins stage 4 of the #dauphine. Moscon moves into yellow. #sbscycling #couchpeloton pic.twitter.com/bvoq0ebG1g
— CyclingCentral (@CyclingCentral) June 7, 2018
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