No GC changes in San Juan before biggest mountains

Vuelta a San Juan (st. 4)

Gaviria (UAD) wins bunch sprint after calm journey to Villa San Agustín, prelude to Queen stage towards Alto Colorado on Friday. Winner Anacona stays into overall top-ten (7th).

Contrary to what happened in 2018, when the rain and the unexpected crosswinds cut the bunch in three pieces and ruled nearly the whole Movistar Team out of GC contention, the fourth stage of the 2019 Vuelta a San Juan -186km from San José de Jáchal to Villa San Agustín- followed the traditional break / chase / sprint scheme which its final 80km, slightly uphill, made everybody expect.

Richard Carapaz during stage four. (c) BettiniPhoto.net / Movistar Team

Winner Anacona, Nairo Quintana and Richard Carapaz conserved their overall placings within the top-20, less than 1’15” behind race leader Julian Alaphilippe (DQT), after a race much controlled by the sprinters’ teams. Fernando Gaviria (UAD) took the day’s honours as Carlos Barbero finished in 13th place.

The Argentinian race will enjoy an unusual rest day on Thursday before its decisive stage five, climbing towards the Alto Colorado (19km, 4.5% average), its top over 2,500m above sea level, on Friday.