Published
The days go by and look alike for Julian Alaphilippe on the Tour of the Basque Country. Already second on Wednesday, the Frenchman was once once more beaten on Thursday. Primoz Roglic therefore remains leader of the general classification.
Colombian Daniel Felipe Martinez won the 4th stage of the Tour of the Basque Country.
AFP ARCHIVES
Before tackling the mountain stages on Friday, Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step) was once more overtaken on the line by the Colombian rider of the Ineos-Grenadiers formation Daniel Felipe Martinez, Thursday during the 4th stage of the Tour of the Basque Country in Zamudio.
Alaphilippe did try to shake up the group of favorites twenty kilometers from the line on the climb of the Vivero, even going through the roadside gutter to reposition himself in the lead and place his attack… but nothing helped. .
First victory of the season for Martinez
This is the first victory of the season in a World Tour race for Martinez, who finished second in the 7th stage of Paris-Nice at the Col de Turini on March 12. He jumped five places overall, to position himself in 3rd, eleven seconds behind the Slovenian.
Italian Diego Ulissi (UAE Emirates) took third place in the sprint.
Friday, the penultimate stage, the high mountains make their appearance on Itzulia between Zamudio and Mallabia, with five passes listed in total, and a final uphill which might hold its share of surprises.
(AFP)