Volta a Catalunya 2017: Nacer Bouhanni sprints to victory, Van Garderen retains GC-lead

After the route has been shortened due to snow and cold, the 4th stage in the Volta a Catalunya travels in 135 kilometres to Igualada. Valverde, Froome, Soler and Gaudu go on the attack in the finale, yet the race boils down to a sprint with Bouhanni fastest. Van Garderen holds on to the leaders jersey. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 4th stage Volta a Catalunya 2017

1. Nacer Bouhanni (fra)
2. Davide Cimolai (ita) s.t.
3. Daryl Impey (rsa) s.t.
4. Alexander Edmondson (aus)
5. Dion Smith (nzl) s.t.
6. Pieter Serry (bel) s.t.
7. Enrico Gasparotto (ita) s.t.
8. Petr Vakoc (cze) s.t.
9. José Joaquin Rojas (spa) s.t.
10. Bauke Mollema (nld) s.t.

GC after 4th stage
1. Tejay van Garderen (usa)
2. Samuel Sánchez (spa) + 0.41
3. Geraint Thomas (gbr) + 0.44
4. Alejandro Valverde (spa) + 0.45
5. Chris Froome (gbr) + 0.49
6. Marc Soler (spa) + 1.10
7. Alberto Contador (spa) + 1.13
8. Adam Yates (gbr) + 1.18
9. Bauke Mollema (nld) + 1.25
10. Jarlinson Pantano (col) s.t.

15. Steven Kruijswijk (nld) + 2.04
17. Romain Bardet (fra) + 2.13
20. Rafal Majka (pol) + 2.35
21. Ilnur Zakarin (rus) + 2.46

Race report
Shortly after 14:00 local time the riders leave Montferrer for a fast descent. It takes some 40 kilometres and then José Gonçalves, Martijn Keizer, Matteo Bono, Diego Rubio en Juan Felipe Osorio are the first riders to force a proper gap. They race to a lead of more than 3 minutes.

With 18 kms remaining Osorio is the last escapee to be reeled in.

Cataldo en Fuglsang try to get clear on the last climb, Turó del Puig, but to no avail. On the rolling section on the top Soler accelerates and he is accompanied by Gaudu. Valverde and Froome hook up, too, but they are brought back with 5 kms to go.

Bouhanni powers to the win in the ensuing sprint. A bike length away, Davide Cimolai finishes in second

Read about the route of the 4th stage of the Volta a Catalunya 2017.