Critérium du Dauphiné (st. 4)
Colombian finishes 18th in tough Roanne course, remains into French event's top-ten (10th), 40” behind new leader Adam Yates (MTS), as Froome (INS) ends his race with a recon crash. Wout van Aert (TJV) wins the stage.
Nairo Quintana (Movistar Team) remains into the top places of the 2019 Critérium du Dauphiné following the demanding, crucial individual time trial of the race, where former World cyclo-cross champion Wout van Aert (TJV) surprised his competitors with a dominante performance against some of the biggest specialists in the circuit.
The Arrieta / Lastras-led squad tackled the day’s ITT –26.1km in and around Roanne– with ambition, yet also conscious about the tough three mountain courses still ahead, where the Blues will have to offer their best legs to Quintana’s success in the overall result.
The Colombian, who had an important test today before the upcoming Tour de France, remained right in the mix with the main names for the GC: he’s now in 10th overall, 40” behind new race leader Adam Yates (MTS), near some big contenders such as Porte, Pinot or Fuglsang, all within half a minute of the Cóndor’s reach.
Wednesday’s action did not feature Chris Froome (ins), after a crash while his team inspected today’s course led him to a hospital nearby with suspected fractures. Thursday’s stage five -the final chance for the sprinters- will include some Cat-4 climbs on the way from Boën-sur-Lignon to Voiron (201km), preluding the big Alpine challenge in the weekend.
Cover picture (c): BettiniPhoto