Poels WIns Basque Tour Fourth Stage

Last updated : 10 April 2014 By Covsupport News Service

 Wouter Poels of Omega Pharma Quick Step won the Fourth stage of  54th Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco (Basque Tour).

Alberto Contador was still in the lead of this race as the fourth stage got under way with a 151km stage from Vitoria to Arrate (Eibar).

After twenty five kilometres, Oliveira, King, Dyachenko, Marino and Luis Leon Sanchez were on the front.

Their lead last for another twenty five kilometres as the peloton split into two groups.

Jeremy Roy of FDJ attacked and was joined by Durasek and Tom Dumoulin of Giant Shimano before Roy was dropped with 54kms to go and Gastauer.and then Sicard bridged to form a quartet of escapers.

With only a fifty second lead, four become five when they were joined by Jon Izaguirre of Movistar.

Sicard took the points at the sprint with twenty kilometres to go as the gap came down to 36 seconds.

The peloton had enough of the attacks and on the final climb of the Usartza, the escapers were rounded up and spat out and British rider Simon Yates of Orica Green Edge came to the front.

With 4.9kms to go, Alberto Contador and Alejandro Valverde shot to the fore. Sammy Sanchez tried to counter but Poels brought them back.

Piraud was next to try but Contador and Valverde were on his wheel. With two to go, Wouter Poels of Omega Pharma Quick Step was now in front.

Poels had a nine second lead going ahead of the group of favourites under the flam rouge and took the win in 3.39.29 ahead of Valverde, Samuel Sanchez,  Slagter, Mollema, Trofimov, Evans, Landa and Cunego.

Contador was tenth and keeps his leader's jersey by twelve seconds from Valverde and 36 seconds from Damieno Cunego.