Samuel Sanchez turns back the clock to win Tour of the Basque Country stage four
Hilly stage of Tour of the Basque Country provides plenty of action as Wilco Kelderman takes overall lead from Sky's Mikel Landa
Samuel Sanchez (BMC Racing) won stage four of the 2016 Tour of the Basque Country on Thursday.
The 38-year-old 2008 Olympic road race champion broke free in the finale of the hilly stage to claim his first win of the season, and his first solo victory since 2013.
Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida) came home in second, with Warren Barguil (Giant-Alpecin) in third. British rider Simon Yates (Orica-GreenEdge) finished in 12th spot.
Wilco Kelderman (LottoNL-Jumbo) took the overall lead after Mikel Landa (Sky) lost eight seconds in the finale. Sergio Henao (Sky) moves up to second place at four seconds, with Landa slipping to third at seven seconds.
>>> Steve Cummings’s late attack seals victory on stage three in the Tour of the Basque Country
The first half of the day was fast-paced, and a large escape group was quickly reined in. After 80km a new escape group of six riders formed: Luis Angel Mate (Cofidis), Simone Petilli (Lampre-Merida), Christophe Riblon (Ag2r), Carlos Verona (Etixx-QuickStep), Angel Vicioso (Katusha) and Tim Wellens (Lotto-Soudal).
The rolling stage saw the riders tackle three ascents and descents of the second category Alto de Aia, with the last one just 13km from the finish line. It was the steep 20-per-cent section on this final climb of Aia that proved to be the flashpoint
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Verona broke free of his escape companions on Aia, with Wellens and Mate in pursuit. Behind them, Henao, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) and Nairo Quintana (Movistar) split off the front of the peloton. Overall leader Landa was temporarily distanced.
As Verona continued ahead, Henao, Contador and Quintana eased up on the wet descent and were caught again by the bunch along with the remainder of the original six-man escape group.
Wellens and Mate caught back up with Verona with 3.5km to go, but were caught by the peloton containing Landa and all of the favourites with 2.3km to go. Sanchez attacked up and over a small climb with a kilometre to go, gritted his teeth and managed to keep the gap all the way to the line.
Two stages of the 2016 Tour of the Basque Country (Vuelta al Pais Vasco) remain, and both could have a sizeable influence on the general classification. Friday's penultimate stage features a tough summit finish, and Saturday's stage is a decisive 16.5-kilometre final individual time trial.
Watch: WorldTour contenders 2016
Tour of the Basque Country 2016: Result
Stage four: Lesaka to Orio, 165km
1. Samuel Sanchez (Spa) BMC Racing in 4-13-12
2. Rui Costa (Por) Lampre-Merida
3. Warren Barguil (Fra) Giant-Alpecin
4. Alexis Vuillermoz (Fra) Ag2r
5. Sergio Henao (Col) Team Sky
6. Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar
7. Alberto Contador (Spa) Tinkoff
8. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) LottoNL-Jumbo
9. Lawson Craddock (USA) Cannondale
10. Joaquim Rodriguez (Spa) Katusha all same time
General classification after stage four
1. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) LottoNL-Jumbo
2. Sergio Henao (Col) Team Sky at 4 secs
3. Mikel Landa (Spa) Team Skt at 7 secs
4. Samuel Sanchez (Spa) BMC Racing at 8 secs
5. Alberto Contador (Spa) Tinkoff at 10 secs
6. Thibaut Pinot (Fra) FDJ at 12 secs
7. Rui Costa (Por) Lampre-Merida at 14 secs
8. Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar at 14 secs
9. Robert Gesink (Ned) LottoNL-Jumbo at 14 secs
10. Sebastien Reichenbach (Swi) FDJ at 14 secs
Other
21. Simon Yates (GBr) Orica-GreenEdge at 51 secs
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
Has cycling's most affordable pro bike brand just launched its aero machine?
Van Rysel set to equip Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale with new RCR-F in 2025
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Even if you ride a lot, here's why you shouldn't skip leg day at the gym
Think your legs get enough exercise? A little gym time can unlock big strength and performance gains.
By Greg Kaplan Published
-
Global backers in talks over new British WorldTour team
Former management of Ribble Weldtite courting interest in new project
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘Current WorldTour system is killing all the smaller teams,’ says Reinardt Janse van Rensburg
South African ex-Lotto Soudal rider fears more teams could find themselves in B & B Hotels-KTM situation if the system doesn’t change
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
As Cristiano Ronaldo puts the boot in, Jumbo-Visma talk to Manchester United about tactics and managing egos
The Dutch team’s senior sports director has spoken to Manchester United’s manager for sporting advice
By Owen Rogers Last updated
-
'It's a really absurd way of racing' - EF boss Jonathan Vaughters on WorldTour relegation scrap
EF Education-EasyPost manager says he hated racing for UCI points
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Trek-Segafredo win the Ceratizit Challenge by La Vuelta team time trial
Elisa Longo Borghini led the American squad home and will take the leader's red jersey into the remaining four stages
By Owen Rogers Last updated
-
Seven woman teams a possibility at the 2023 Tour de France Femmes
Race Director Marion Rousse confirms the organisers ASO are considering other changes for 2023, including the possibility of a time trial
By Owen Rogers Published
-
“I feel my legs a bit less when I hear the crowd,” riders react to the Tour de France crowds
Huge crowds, excellent organisation, a good route and plenty of press attention, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is a huge step for the women’s sport
By Owen Rogers Published
-
Gear check: What gear ratios did riders choose to conquer the Grand Ballon?
Before Saturday's seventh stage in the Vosges Mountains Cycling Wweekly took a look at the preferred fear ratios in the Tour de France Femmes peloton
By Owen Rogers Published