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Tirreno-Adriatico. Stage 4. Aleksandr Vlasov takes fourth on first mountain stage
The first of two mountain stages at Tirreno-Adriatico saw Manuele Boaro in the breakaway of the day until the second last climb, before the climbers showed their skills with Aleksandr Vlasov taking fourth on famous Cascia.
On today´s menu for the fourth stage of Tirreno – Adriatico the peloton had to tackle over two HC-climbs before entering the finish line in Cascia after 194 brutal kilometers.
It was the first of two consecutive hard mountain stages in this year`s edition and another day to shake up the overall ranking.
It was a tough start into today`s stage as the peloton didn’t allow any breakaway to go for the first 40 kilometers. After a long fight for the day`s break a group of eleven riders managed to pull away, one of them was Astana Pro Team rider Manuele Boaro.
58km before the finish Boaro´s breakaway had almost three minutes gap over the peloton. Approaching the first HC climb of the day, the breakaway fell apart and only three riders stayed at the front of the race, while Manuele Boaro saw himself in one of the chasing groups.
On the last climb of the day, the climbers came up the front and took control over the race. Both Astana Pro Team riders Aleksandr Vlasov and Jakob Fuglsang were in a good position, also Alex Aranburu was able to bridge across. On the final steep part up to the finish, two riders distance themselves and fought for the stage win, while Aleksandr Vlasov crossed the line in a strong fourth place. Teammates Alex Aranburu and Jakob Fuglsang came in the reduced bunch in 13th and 25th place in.
- It was a good day, all went well. Only the last 50 km were packed with high pace but I was able to stay in the first groups and found my rhythm during the two HC climbs. Shortly before the finale I tried to attack but two riders had already a gap, so I finished in fourth place. All on all it was a good day for me and also for the team, tomorrow we will face this year`s Queen Stage, where I will try it again. – Aleksandr Vlasov
Tomorrow the second mountain stage, with a summit finish on Sarnano – Sassotetto will await the riders. The course will take the riders from Norcia over 202 kilometers over one HC climb and one other climb up to the second HC climb of the day into the finish.
Photo credit: © Getty Images
