Tour of the Basque Country 2024: Meintjes wins crash-marred race, Skjelmose new leader

foto: Cor VosA crash in the descent of the second of four climbs takes down several riders, including pre-race favourites Remco Evenepoel, Jonas Vingegaard and Primoz Roglic. Following a neutralisation only the lead group continues the race. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 4th stage 2024 Tour of the Basque Country

1. Louis Meintjes (rsa)
2. Reuben Thompson (nzl)
3. Karel Vacek (cze)
4. Mikel Retegi (spa)
5. Mathieu Burgaudeau ((fra)
6. Joseba López (spa)
– peloton s.t.

GC after stage 4
1. Mattias Skjelmose (den)
2. Juan Ayuso (spa) + 0.04
3. Kévin Vauquelin (fra) + 0.06
4. Maximilian Schachmann (ger) s.t.
5. Brandon McNulty (usa) + 0.13
6. Bruno Armirail (fra) + 0.14
7. Pello Bilbao (spa) + 0.15
8. Paul Lapeira (fra) + 0.16
9. Nelson Oliveira (por) + 0.18
10. Romain Grégoire (fra) s.t.

Race report
KOM leader Louis Meintjes, Mathieu Burgaudeau and Reuben Thompson initiate the breakaway after 16 kilometres of action. Mikel Retegi, Karel Vacek and Joseba Lopez bridge across.

Meintjes cements his KOM lead at the first climb. The peloton reaches the summit over 6 minutes later. Which is the maximum lead of the six.

Thompson bests Meintjes in the sprint for KOM points on the Olaeta. A huge crash in the peloton happens on descent. Primoz Roglic, Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel are among the victims and the three super stars can’t continue.

The race is temporarily neutralised before the six race leaders re-start in the last 19.4 kilometres. Meanwhile, the peloton pedals to the finish line. No times will be taken.

Vacek strikes 1.7 kilometres under the summit of the last climb. Thompson and Meintjes follow his move, the others are dropped. The Czech distances his companions inside the last 900 metres, but Meintjes comes crawling back. The South African strikes just before the summit..

Meintjes distances the other in the rolling run-in to the finish line. He wins the race, while Mattias Skjelmose is the new leader on GC.

Another interesting read: route 4th stage 2024 Tour of the Basque Country.