Tour of Britain 2021: Van Aert wins at Great Orme to take back race lead

image: Cor VosThe Queen's Stage comes down to the punchy finish climb at the Great Orme. Wout van Aert powers to his second stage win in four days, while Ethan Hayter stays in the GC lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 4th stage 2021 Tour of Britain

1. Wout van Aert (bel)
2. Julian Alaphilippe (fra) s.t.
3. Michael Woods (can) + 0.01
4. Mikkel Honoré (den) + 0.04
5. Ethan Hayter (gbr) + 0.08
6. Daniel Martin (irl) + 0.13
7. Kristian Sbaragli (ita) + 0.16
8. Simon Clarke (aus) s.t.
9. Roman Martín (spa) + 0.27
10. Nicolas Roche (irl) + 0.29

GC after stage 4
1. Wout van Aert (bel)
2. Ethan Hayter (gbr) + 0.02
3. Julian Alaphilippe (fra) + 0.11
4. Mikkel Honoré (den) + 0.21
5. Michael Woods (can) + 0.40
6. Rohan Dennis (aus) + 0.44
7. Daniel Martin (irl) + 0.56
8. Kristian Sbaragli (ita) + 1.13
9. Mark Donovan (gbr) + 1.34
10. Xandro Meurisse (bel) + 1.38

Race report
Six riders jump clear from the gun. King of the Mountain Jake Scott did not miss the move and he builds a lead of 9 minutes with Gruffud Lewis, Nico Sessler, Robert Donaldson, Ollie Peckover and Jokin Murguialday.

Scott cements his KOM lead at the first two climbs of the day. The second is the the ascent of Eidda’s Well, where chasers Marc Soler, Ben Healy and Thomas Gloag reach the summit 30 seconds later. The peloton is 1.30 minutes behind.

The three chasers catch the six leaders with 60 kilometres remaining before the peloton comes across inside the last 40 kilometres.

Mauro Schmid, Max Kanter and David Gonzalez go on the counter attack. The trio opens a 30 seconds gap, while they are reeled in with 16 kilometres to go.

Jorgenson gives it a go on an uphill kicker inside the last 7 kilometres. The young American is brought back before the Great Orme.

Woods strikes on the steepest sector and only Alaphlippe and Van Aert are able to follow his move. GC leader Hayter comes clawing back when the ascent flattens out in the last kilometres, but he is distanced again when Alaphilippe opens his sprint from far. Van Aert sticks to the wheel of the World Champion to overhaul him in the last metres.

As the winner takes a time bonus of 10 seconds Van Aert moves back into the race lead, 2 seconds ahead of Hayter.

Another interesting read: route 4th stage 2021 Tour of Britain.