Dylan Groenewegen sprints ahead of Dan McLay to win Tour of Britain stage four
British rider Dan McLay goes close to victory in Builth Wells as LottoNL-Jumbo's Dylan Groenewegen takes the honours - Julien Vermote retains race lead - Photos by Andy Jones
Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL-Jumbo) won stage four of the 2016 Tour of Britain in Builth Wells on Wednesday, pipping Dan McLay (Great Britain) to the line.
Ben Swift (Team Sky) placed third on the race's longest stage behind Dutch champion Groenewegen and McLay. It's Groenewegen's second victory on British soil this year, after he won stage one of the Tour de Yorkshire in April.
Julien Vermote (Etixx-QuickStep) finished fifth to safely retain the overall race lead ahead of Steve Cummings (Dimension Data) at six seconds. Swift's bonus seconds for third see him move up to third overall at 1-03.
>>> Tour of Britain 2016: Latest news, reports and info
After a fast start from Denbigh, a break of four riders eventually formed: Miguel Ángel Benito (Caja Rural), Matt Holmes (Madison-Genesis), Rob Partridge (NFTO) and Alessandro Tonelli (Bardiani).
Cannondale-Drapac and Sky led the pace of the peloton in pursuit, chipping away at the break's gap. With 56km to go, Tonelli attacked the escape group in one last effort, but was caught 10km later.
After the peloton came back together, several unsuccessful attempts were made by various riders to form a new escape. All were chased down.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Several sprinters got into trouble on an unclassified climb with 30km to go, with Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) and Caleb Ewan (Orica-BikeExchange) both distanced from the back of the bunch.
Lotto-Soudal hit the front of the peloton in the final 15km to try and set up stage one winner André Greipel. The Belgian team maintained the high pace making it harder for the dropped riders to regain contact.
Despite their work, Greipel seemed to get caught out by the tight bends leading into the finish straight as LottoNL-Jumbo hit the front, and came home outside the top 10.
LottoNL-Jumbo, however, put their rider in the perfect position for the victory, and as Groenewegen opened up his sprint early with McLay on his wheel, the Brit could simply not come past him.
The 2016 Tour of Britain continues on Thursday with stage five, from Aberdare to Bath over 205km in a day that is billed as one for the sprinters. The race concludes in London on Sunday, September 11.
Results
Tour of Britain 2016, stage four: Denbigh to Builth Wells, 217km
1. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned) LottoNL-Jumbo in 5-28-49
2. Daniel McLay (GBr) Great Britain
3. Ben Swift (GBr) Team Sky
4. Carlos Barbero (Esp) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
5. Julien Vermote (Bel) Etixx-QuickStep
6. Boy van Poppel (Ned) Trek-Segafredo
7. Luke Mezgec (Slo) Orica-BikeExchange
8. Nicolas Vreecken (Bel) An Post-Chain Reaction
9. Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Giant-Alpecin
10. Diego Rubio (Esp) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA all at same time
General classification after stage four
1. Julien Vermote (Bel) Etixx-QuickStep in 18-22-04
2. Stephen Cummings (GBr) Dimension Data at 6 secs
3. Ben Swift (GBr) Team Sky at 1-03
4. Tony Gallopin (Fra) Lotto-Soudal at 1-03
5. Daniel Martin (Irl) Etixx-QuickStep at 1-04
6. Xandro Meurisse (Bel) Wanty-Groupe Gobert at 1-08
7. Dylan van Baarle (Ned) Cannondale-Drapac at 1-12
8. Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Giant-Alpecin at 1-12
9. Guillaume Martin (Fra) Wanty-Groupe Gobert at 1-12
10. Nicolas Roche (Irl) Team Sky at 1-16
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.
-
Chinese X-Lab vies for global domination as it equips XDS Astana with bikes for the WorldTour
A new partnership sees Astana aboard new bikes with increased funding for 2025
By Joe Baker Published
-
Tech of the week: Van Rysel releases an aero bike (quelle surprise!) plus a superlight carbon crankset from FSA, a long top tube bag from Tailfin and tyre liners from Zefal
The RCR-F aero bike will be ridden by the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale team in 2025, but will it create headlines like the RCR?
By Luke Friend Published
-
Cian Uijtdebroeks turns up to Jumbo-Visma training camp in black kit
The 20-year-old, at the centre of Bora-Hansgrohe v Jumbo-Visma storm, headed out on a ride with his new teammates
By Adam Becket Published
-
Jumbo-Visma's Michel Hessman facing lengthy doping ban
German rider previously suspended by Jumbo-Visma after positive anti-doping test
By Cycling Weekly Published
-
Wout van Aert to target Giro d'Italia general classification in 2024
Belgian will target top five finish at Italian Grand Tour as leader of Jumbo-Visma, according to reports
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers and Jumbo-Visma among teams working on new pro racing league
According to Reuters, around five teams are in the early talks for a new competition
By Adam Becket Published
-
Merger between Jumbo-Visma and Soudal Quick-Step is off, reports
The new super-team is apparently now not happening, according to the Belgian press
By Adam Becket Published
-
Primož Roglič joins Bora-Hansgrohe from Jumbo-Visma
'He's one of the best riders in the world' Bora boss Ralph Denk on German team's 'inspirational' new signing
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
Jumbo-Visma and Quick-Step merger set to leave cycling's top rank a team short
Cycling's governing body warns that it must comply with regulations, specifically relating to contracts for all team staff
By Adam Becket Published
-
Primož Roglič should ride for 'the smartest man in cycling', says Brian Holm
Holm says Roglič would be a good fit for Ineos Grenadiers to help reclaim former glory under Rod Ellingworth
By Tom Thewlis Published