The escapees go by the names of Gregory Daniel, Christopher Jones, Jonathan Clarke, Kevin De Mesmaeker, Matt Cooke en Will Routley. After gaining a few minutes on the bunch, they found themselves with a strong tailwind in the last quarter of the stage and the realization set in that Cav et al would not be catching them today.
Canadian Will Routley outsprinted his fellow headbangers to take the stage win, something he’s been looking to achieve for a long time in California. Cavendish wins the sprint from the peloton but will be disappointed that the escape got away.
Race leader Bradley Wiggins was smartly upfront as the peloton hit the finishing straight, avoiding a split in the pack and gaining 4 seconds on 2nd place Rohan Dennis.
Results 4th stage Tour of California 2014
1. Will Routley (Canada)
2. Gregory Daniel (USA) s.t.
3. Kevin de Mesmaker (Belgium) s.t.
4. Chris Jones (USA) s.t.
5. Matt Cooke (USA) s.t.
6. Jonathan Clark (USA) s.t.
7. Mark Cavendish (gbr) + 1.16
8. Peter Sagen (Slovenia) s.t.
9. Matthew Goss (Australia) s.t.
10. Taylor Phinney (USA)
GC after stage 4
1. Bradley Wiggins (gbr)
2. Rohan Dennis (Australia) +0.28
3. Tiago Machado (Portugal) + 1.09
4. Lawson Craddock (USA) + 1.25
5. Adam Yates (gbr) + 2.14
6. Peter Stetina (USA) + 2.28
7. Matthew Bussche (USA) +2.29
8. Carter Jones (USA) + 2.31
9. Laurens ten Dam (The Netherlands) + 2.333
10. Janier Acevedo (Spain) + 2.34
Tour of California 2014 stage 4: Images and more
Click on the images to zoom.
Big Sur (1st climb) at Strava
Ragged Point 1 (2nd climb) at Strava
Ragged Point 2 (3rd climb) at Strava