Author of a beautiful demonstration of force, Joao Almeida won the fourth stage of the Tour of Switzerland in Costaud. French Roman Grégoire, 6th of the day, retains his yellow jersey in the general classification, followed by two compatriots: Kévin Vauquelin and Julian Alaphilippe.
This Wednesday on the fourth stage of the Tour of Switzerland between Heiden and Piuro, the first serious explanation between Costauds took place at high altitude on Wednesday. More specifically about fifty kilometers from the finish where during the ascent of the Passo dello Splugga, a collar of first category 8.8 kilometers at 7.4% on average, the race was seriously decanted. In its characteristic style, The UAE Team Emirates training imposed a large tempo to propel its leader to the summits, Joao Almeida.
Impressive, The Portuguese has distinguished its most ferocious competitors before the summit, Felix Gall (Decathlon Ag2r La Mondiale) and Frank van den Broek (Picnic Postnl). Even more impressive, the recent winner of the Tour de Romandie subsequently held the pace, alone in mind, resisting the groups of pursuers in which the agreement was not the most cordial. It was therefore only forty seconds after the passage of Joao Almeida on the finish line that his dolphin of the day was seen, the British Oscar Onley (Picnic Postnl), stronger than his traveling companion, Ben O’Connor (Jayco Alula).
Grégoire remains in yellow, Alaphilippe on the general’s podium
Behind this duo, one minute from Joao Almeida, Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) beat the wearer of the yellow jersey, Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ) in the sprint, as well as Felix Gall.
A remarkable performance allowing the Leader of the Tour of Switzerland to keep his throne, 25 seconds ahead of Kévin Vauquelin. And icing on the cake, the podium is completed by a third tricolor pointed at 29 seconds, Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor). In view of this Wednesday at the front, the former world champion completed the 9th position in 1:02 of Joao Almeida. Just in front of him at the same time in the 8th row, Clément Champoussin (Astana) also shone.
The latter joined the Top 10 in the general classification (+3: 25), leaping with thirteen places thanks to his good race. As for the winner of the day, Joao Almeida, he replaced himself in 7th position at 2:07 of Romain Grégoire. The Australian Ben O’Connor, for his part, grabbed a place. At the foot of the podium, one of the great outsiders of the competition has 56 seconds behind the yellow jersey. This Thursday, the peloton will travel 183 kilometers even more complicated between Punt and Santa Maria. This mountain stage will represent the last opportunity to illustrate for pure climbers.
