Andrei Greipel has won the fourth stage of the 43rd Volta ao Algarve in a photo-finish.
With Primoz Roglic the new race leader, the riders took on the longest stage of the race – a 203.4km stage from Almodovar to Tavira.
Ireland’s Ryan Mullen who did well in the time trial, got into the break along with Taco van der Hoorn (Roompot-Nederlandse Loterij), Dion Smith (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) and João Matias (LA Alumínios-Metalusa) after five kilometres and they worked to take a lead of 4.02 as Matias took the intermediate sprint.
They got a maximum of 6.12 ahead before Taco van der Hoorn won the sprint in Castro Marim and then dropped back towards the peloton who finally caught the trio with two kilometres left.
The peloton got the sprint they wanted and Jasper Stuyven teed up John Degenkolb, however, up came Andre Greipel to take the win in a photo finish in 4.57.51 with Degenkolb second and Dylan Groenwegen in third.
Greipel told the Lotto Soudal press office: “It was a cat and mouse game between the break and the bunch. In the last 70 kilometres it was really à bloc. Frederik Frison and Jelle Wallays where riding at the head of the bunch for us, chasing down the leaders. It was really close, but we caught them in the end. The escapees were strong, but so were our riders and those of the other sprint teams. Jens Debusschere had crashed so we had to change our plan. Nikolas Maes took me, Tiesj Benoot, Tony Gallopin and Jürgen Roelandts to the front. Jürgen led me to the wheel of Arnaud Démare in the last kilometre. I lost some positions when Richeze took Gavria to the front. I did a long and fast sprint and was lucky to get the wheel of Degenkolb. I beat him on the line. It was a nice sprint to watch I think. I knew that I won. It was close, but as sprinters we are dealing a lot with differences of only a few centimetres. This was a nice victory! The Alto do Malhão, where tomorrow’s stage finishes, is steep and tough. Tiesj and Tony can definitely gain positions on GC.”
Primoz Roglic keeps his lead in the race going into the final stage.
Article by Kev Monks for Digital Sports Group
Source: DSG
