Tirreno-Ariatico 2019: Lutsenko wins dramatic 4th stage, Yates still leader

Following a race that is dotted with steep climbs on narrow country roads, Alexey Lutsenko wins the four-up sprint in the Tirreno-Adriatico's 4th stage. Primoz Roglic finishes in second, leader Adam Yates in third. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 4th stage Tirreno-Adriatico 2019

1. Alexey Lutsenko (kaz)
2. Primoz Roglic (slo) s.t.
3. Adam Yates (gbr) s.t.
4. Jakob Fuglsang (den) s.t.
5. Davide Formolo (ita) + 0.09
6. Alberto Bettiol (ita) + 0.23
7. Simon Clarke (aus) s.t.
8. Tiesj Benoot (bel) s.t.
9. Julian Alaphilippe (fra) s.t.
10. Wout Poels (nld) s.t.

GC after stage 4
1. Adam Yates (gbr)
2. Primoz Roglic (slo) + 0.07
3. Tom Dumoulin (nld) + 0.50
4. Julian Alaphilippe (fra) + 0.56
5. Sam Oomen (nld) s.t.
6. Alexey Lutsenko (kaz) + 1.06
7. Wout Poels (nld) + 1.16
8. Jakob Fuglsang (den) + 1.19
9. Alberto Bettiol (ita) + 1.21
10. Simon Clarke (aus) + 1.25

Race report
A group of ten riders moves clear after 20 kilometres. Jasper Stuyven, Robert Power, Nans Peters, Mirco Maestri, Marcus Burghardt, Joey Rosskopf, Krists Neilands, Luis Mas, Giovanni Visconti and Jenthe Biermans race to a lead of more than 9 minutes.

Inside the last 50 kilometres Mas goes solo. Peters rejoins him, but the two are brought back when Jakob Fuglsang accelerates on the Monteguiduccio climb. A select group regains contact with the Dane. Lutsenko goes on the counter attack and puts 40 seconds into leader Yates, Dumoulin, Fuglsang, Benoot, Roglic, Formolo, Clarke and Alaphilippe. A group with Nibali, Pinot and Poels rejoin the chasers just before the first passage on the line in Fossombrone. It also serves as an intermediate sprint and Yates wins 2 seconds and Dumoulin 1.

Lutsenko widens the gap on the first time up the Muro dei Cappuccini to 50 seconds. He misses a corner on descent, but without losing any time and he crosses the line with a stable lead. One lap to go.

Roglic accelerates on the Cappuccini with Yates and Fuglsang on his wheel. They reach the crest 12 seconds after Lutsenko, who once again hits the deck in the descent. The chasers catch him inside the last 700 metres, but the Kazach doesn’t falter. He outguns Primoz Roglic and Adam yates on the line. Wow!

Yates stays in the race lead, 7 seconds ahead of Roglic. Dumoulin moves up to third, but the Dutchman is 50 seconds in arrears.

Another interesting read: route 4th stage Tirreno-Adriatico 2019.