Tirreno-Adriatico 2020: Hamilton outsprints Masnada, Woods still leader

The 4th stage of the Tirreno ignites on the last climb with a Simon Yates attack, but the race come down to a two-up sprint. Lucas Hamilton outguns Fausto Masnada, while Michael Woods stays in the GC lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 4th stage Tirreno-Adriatico

1. Lucas Hamilton (aus)
2. Fausto Masnada (ita) s.t.
3. Michael Woods (can) + 0.10
4. Aleksandr Vlasov (rus) s.t.
5. Geraint Thomas (gbr) s.t.
6. Wilco Kelderman (nld) s.t.
7. Jack Haig (aus) s.t.
8. Rafal Majka (pol) s.t.
9. James Knox (gbr) s.t.
10. Simon Yates (gbr) s.t.

GC after stage 4
1. Michael Woods (can)
2. Rafal Majka (pol) + 0.09
3. Fausto Masnada (ita) + 0.18
4. Lucas Hamilton (aus) + 0.27
5. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 0.30
6. Geraint Thomas (gbr) + 0.34
7. Simon Yates (gbr) s.t.
8. Aleksandr Vlasov (rus) s.t.
9. Jack Haig (aus) + 0.47
10. James Knox (gbr) s.t.

Race report
After 60 kilometres of hard racing an 11-men lead group takes shape. Matthews, Frank, Bouchard, Gabburo, Boaro, Tratnik, Tonelli, Ballerini, Canola, Carretero and Goossens open a gap of almost 4 minutes.

When the leaders enter the mountainous zone Frank and Carretero head out together. Matthews regains contact and with three they crest the Forca di Gualdo. The peloton reaches the summit after 2 minutes.

On the section to Rifugio Perugia Tonelli bridges across to the trio, while Costa and Meintjes attack in the peloton to rejoin the leaders with 21 kilometres to go.

The main group brings the attackers back on the last climb before Yates attacks 3 kilometres before the top. Woods and Thomas go with him, while Majka en Vlasov bridge across.

A chasing group bridges across in the descent before Masnada attacks with Hamilton on his wheel. The two push on together to open up a gap of 15 seconds. In the streets of Cascia Hamilton powers to the win.

Woods wins the sprint of the GC group to extend his lead.

Another interesting read: route 4th stage 2020 Tirreno-Adriatico.