Volta a Catalunya 2021: Climb triumph Chaves, Yates still leader

foto: Cor VosThe 4th stage is the hardest mountain race on the Volta a Catalunya. Esteban Chaves strikes on the 18.5 kilometres finish climb to ski resort Port Ainé and solos to victory. Adam Yates keeps the overall race lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 4th stage 2021 Volta a Catalunya

1. Esteban Chaves (col)
2. Michael Woods (can) + 0.07
3. Geraint Thomas (gbr) s.t.
4. Adam Yates (gbr) s.t.
5. Sep Kuss (usa) s.t.
6. Alejandro Valverde (spa) s.t.
7. Richie Porte (aus) s.t.
8. Wilco Kelderman (nld) s.t.
9. Nairo Quintana (col) s.t.
10. Lucas Hamilton (aus) s.t.

11. Hugh Carthy (gbr) + 0.13
12. Simon Yates (gbr) + 0.17
13. João Almeida (por) + 0.25

Results 4th stage 2021 Volta a Catalunya

1. Adam Yates (gbr)
2. Richie Porte (aus) + 0.45
3. Geraint Thomas (gbr) + 0.49
4. Alejandro Valverde (spa) + 1.03
5. Wilco Kelderman (nld) s.t.
6. Esteban Chaves (col) + 1.04
7. João Almeida (por) + 1.07
8. Hugh Carthy (gbr) + 1.20
9. Sepp Kuss (usa) s.t.
10. Simon Yates (gbr) + 1.32

Race report
In the last kilometres of the first climb, Port de Toses, Thomas De Gendt heads out alone. Eleven riders track the Flemish breakaway specialist down: Lennard Kämna, Rigoberto Uran, Antwan Tolhoek, Koen Bouwman, Louis Meintjes, Sergio Samitier, Joe Dombrowski, Juan Pedro López, Clément Champoussin, Antonio Pedrero, and Atilla Valter.

De Gendt can’t follow the pace on the second climb and drops back, while Kämna jumps off the front. He reaches the summit 1.30 minutes ahead of the chasers with the main group 2 minutes further behind.

While the other attackers are caught just before the finish climb, Kämna is reeled in with 14.5 kilometres left to race.

Esteban Chaves strikes with 7.2 kilometres to go. The Colombian opens up a gap of 15 seconds before Enric Mas goes after him inside the last 4 kilometres.

The Spaniard can’t bridge the gap, while Chaves widens his lead to 25 seconds. He wins the race, although the gap shrinks to 7 seconds in the last kilometre.

Adam Yates keeps the race lead and because João Almeida finishes at 25 seconds Geraint Thomas moves up to third place. Ineos Grenadiers is sitting in places 1, 2 and 3.

Another interesting read: route 4th stage 2021 Volta a Catalunya.