Tour de France: Stage 4

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A nervous Marcel Kittel still looking for his first stage win in this years Tour de France, achieved that on the up hill finish on stage 4 in a photo finish with Bryan Coquard

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Tour de France: Stage 4

Marcel-Kittel-Limoges

JERSEYS
Yellow: Peter Sagan
Green: Peter Sagan
KoM: Jasper Stuyven
Young Rider: Julian Alaphilppe

In the closest finish on this years Tour de France, Marcel Kittel (Etixx-Quick Step) claimed his first Tour victory since 2014 millimetres ahead of Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie) after the longest stage of the race, 237.5 km from Saumur to Limoges. Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) remains in yellow after finishing third on the eve of the first mountain stage.

It was a stage where there was much more attacking early on with riders wanting to get in the breakaway. Andreas Schillinger (Bora-Argon18) and Markel Irizar (Trek-Segafredo) jumped in a first group at the front of the race at km 18. They were then joined by Alexis Gougeard (AG2R-La Mondiale) and Oliver Naesen (IAM Cycling) to build a lead of 3’50 after 35 kilometres of racing.

The peloton quickly decided to set its intentions, with Natnael Berhane (Dimension Data) maintaining the gap around 5 minutes. It was not an easy task with the leaders travelling at an average speed of 42.3 km/h over the first three hours of racing. With 90 kilometres to go, the breakaway’s lead was already down to 2 minutes.

Alexis Gougeard (AG2R-La Mondiale) was the first attacker swallowed up by the peloton, 30 kilometres from the finishe. Schillinger, Naesen and Irizar resisted 20 more kilometres before Direct Energie’s efforts ended their breakaway. Unfortunately for the French team, Kittel was there to edge Coquard.

Marcel Kittel (Etixx Quickstep): “It wasn’t easy for the team and me after the last three days. The ambitions and expectations were high and the pressure was there, especially after getting so many wins in the first part of the season.”

“Yesterday, after the stage, we analysed the finale, talked about our mistakes in a positive way and everyone learned from it. I tried to motivate the boys and today they did a marvelous job. We were there when it mattered, I was brought up in the right position and had a perfect timing”, said Marcel Kittel, who now has 14 Grand Tour victories to his name.

Marcel-KittelPodium

By coming out on top on Tuesday, Marcel Kittel surpassed legendary countryman Rudi Altig in most Tour de France stage victories for Germany, sitting now in third overall in an all-time ranking with 9 successes, and also became the first rider to get wins in two Grand Tours this season, after sprinting to victory in the Nijmegen and Arnhem Giro d’Italia stages:

“I am super happy and it’s great to return to the Tour de France with such a victory. I knew since yesterday that my legs are strong and wanted to win for the team, who was really incredible. We still have some opportunities ahead in the race, but first we want to enjoy this day.”

Peter Sagan (Tinkoff): “It was a long day, not flat always up and down. I’m very happy to still be in yellow and to take third. I’m back in green also and until now all’s going very well.” When asked about making Slovakia proud, Peter added: “I think the Slovakians here are very happy and it makes me happy to see lots of Slovakian flags on the side of the road and to hear them cheering.”

“It was a good finish for me, I just started my sprint too early. The sprint is sometimes a lottery and I think I have to wait a little bit more. I started at the same time as Kittel and it was a long sprint from there. Coquard came later and he almost won. I’m happy with the result and the points, and I still have the yellow jersey – it’s going well. Tomorrow is another day, I don’t want to think about tomorrow yet.”

Alexandar Kristoff (Katusha): “We went a little bit early but compared to yesterday it was perfect. Jacopo did a very good job. In the end I was hoping the Etixx guy was going to do a little bit longer lead out, because in the end I came into the wind with 250 m to go, and that was just a little bit too far.”

“The uphill was OK, usually I am quite good in this type of finish, but today I was not the strongest. Still, it was better than yesterday and with only Marco and Jacopo being my helpers in the sprint, we did a very good job. I wanted to win today on my birthday, but unfortunately I was not strong enough in the end,

Bryan Coquard: “I really believed in my chances. Jimmy (Engoulvent) yesterday reproached me for not thrown my bike forward enough. I could see I was making it back but it was not enough. I’m very disappointed but I must not give up. There are still lots of chances left. I’m glad that we took things into our own hands. I think I belong with the greats now. There is no mistake in the sprints, the stronger wins. I was never as close to victory but I haven’t won yet. I’m young but I’m a winner. I have temperament and I want to win this year on the Tour.”

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Alejandro Valverde (Movistar): “It was a super fast stage, yet we got through the day in the best of possible ways. A complicated finale is forecast for tomorrow, when it comes to terrain; one might say it’s dangerous, but I consider the stages we just left behind more problematic for me than Wednesday’s. We’re in perfect position at the moment, and it’s logical to think we could get even closer to yellow tomorrow, even lead the race myself, but I make this clear yet another time today: we came here to support Nairo. Should the opportunity arise, we won’t avoid it, but our sights are clear. All in all, it was another good day for us.”

Nairo Quintana (Movistar): “A very dangerous day for all of us, but we got to the finish safe and sound, just like we’ve done during this Tour so far. Let’s hope our legs keep rolling just as well tomorrow for the team; tackling the mountains means we get into our ‘bread and butter’, that terrain that suits us best. It will still be a difficult race, but we’re hopeful that we will do well. We’ve got a strong team and I’m felling myself strong.”

Dylan Groenewegen (Lotto Jumbo) “We’re improving,” Groenewegen said while he tried to recover from his long final sprint. “It was tough, but we did a good job with the team. This time, I’m satisfied. I didn’t feel very strong, actually, but Sep Vanmarcke told me that I would be able to pass through that feeling. I got over it and went for it.

“We were still in front with four of us for the final. I was boxed in for a while during the sprint, but found some space afterwards to finish fourth. I came from quite far behind, but was able to come back quite strongly. It’s my own fault that I had to come from too far behind, I needed to be further up. My sprint was strong so this is promising for the upcoming stages.”

Bernhard Eisel (Dimension Data) “At the start we knew it was going to be another long, long day just like yesterday, probably even half an hour longer. Nobody wanted to attack, nobody wanted to ride in the beginning. Then in one moment there was an attack of 7 riders, we had Natnael there, with a total of 5 sprinter teams represented in the move so that mixed up everything. The next 15km was chock-o-block full gas. That changed the situation and 4 guys got away. It was a good rolling day, not too hard, it was a nice day. It was not a recovery day at all but the fatigue didn’t get too much worse. It was a little breather before a big hard day tomorrow and as we can see, the sun is out so it’s going to be interesting the next few days as it gets warmer and warmer.”

Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) “In the final today we did well keeping the front and avoiding any risk – explained Vincenzo Nibali – tomorrow stage is important as every stage of this first week is important: I saw the map and the final part looks quite difficult, let’s see how the race will develop…”.

Fabio Aru (Astana) : “In the final today we went so fast and everyone was fighting to keep the front positions of the bunch – said Fabio Aru after the shower – as a Team we worked good and I’m happy about this. Tomorrow’s stage has a narrow final, with climbs and descents, we will try not to lose any seconds from the other GC contenders”.

Richie Porte (BMC): “it was a good day. At least we didn’t go as slow as yesterday, but it’s another one ticked off and I’m looking forward to getting to the climbs tomorrow. We have done the recon on tomorrow’s stage and there are a couple of nasty climbs in there. But also the run in is a nasty, technical downhill so that could play a part in it too. There’s a bit of a kick to the finish so for sure the last 40 kilometers are really going to trim the field a little bit. Which is a good thing, it won’t be so hectic as it has been.”

Tejay van Garderen (BMC): “I’m really excited to head to the hills and get the GC sorted out a bit more. I think it will be a little less nervous and we’ll get a sense of who’s going well and who’s not. Richie and I did the recon [of stage 5] together and it’s a tricky stage. It’s not going to be as hard as the Pyrenees but it will shake things up. You’re not going to see Sagan and Cavendish up there.” … continued after advert

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Stage 4
1 KITTEL Marcel ETIXX-QUICK STEP 05h 28′ 30”
2 COQUARD Bryan DIRECT ENERGIE
3 SAGAN Peter TINKOFF
4 GROENEWEGEN Dylan TEAM LOTTO NL – JUMBO
5 KRISTOFF Alexander TEAM KATUSHA
6 ENGER Sondre Holst IAM CYCLING
7 MCLAY DANIEL FORTUNEO – VITAL CONCEPT
8 CAVENDISH Mark TEAM DIMENSION DATA
9 DUMOULIN Samuel AG2R LA MONDIALE
10 GERRANS Simon ORICA-BIKEEXCHANGE
11 THEUNS Edward TREK – SEGAFREDO
12 VANMARCKE Sep TEAM LOTTO NL – JUMBO
13 CRADDOCK Lawson CANNONDALE DRAPAC TEAM
14 MATTHEWS Michael ORICA-BIKEEXCHANGE
15 ALAPHILIPPE Julian ETIXX-QUICK STEP
16 VALVERDE Alejandro MOVISTAR TEAM
17 CARUSO Damiano BMC RACING TEAM
18 GREIPEL André LOTTO SOUDAL
19 PREIDLER Georg TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN
20 SOUPE GEOFFREY COFIDIS, SOLUTIONS CREDITS
21 KREUZIGER Roman TINKOFF
22 ROLLAND Pierre CANNONDALE DRAPAC TEAM
23 SANCHEZ GIL Luis-Leon ASTANA PRO TEAM
24 NIBALI Vincenzo ASTANA PRO TEAM
25 BRESCHEL Matti CANNONDALE DRAPAC TEAM
26 CHEREL Mikael AG2R LA MONDIALE
27 ARU Fabio ASTANA PRO TEAM
28 ROSA Diego ASTANA PRO TEAM
29 ELMIGER Martin IAM CYCLING
30 BARGUIL WARREN TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN
31 SCHÄR Michael BMC RACING TEAM
32 KELDERMAN Wilco TEAM LOTTO NL – JUMBO
33 PANTANO Jarlinson IAM CYCLING
34 BARDET Romain AG2R LA MONDIALE
35 JEANNESSON Arnold COFIDIS, SOLUTIONS CREDITS
36 RAST Gregory TREK – SEGAFREDO
37 FROOME Christopher TEAM SKY
38 VAN GARDEREN Tejay BMC RACING TEAM
39 CIMOLAI Davide LAMPRE – MERIDA
40 THOMAS Geraint TEAM SKY
41 GATTO Oscar TINKOFF
42 FARIA DA COSTA Rui Alberto LAMPRE – MERIDA
43 CONTADOR Alberto TINKOFF
44 QUINTANA Nairo MOVISTAR TEAM
45 VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen TEAM KATUSHA
46 HAYMAN Mathew ORICA-BIKEEXCHANGE
47 PORTE Richie BMC RACING TEAM
48 MEINTJES Louis LAMPRE – MERIDA
49 BAKELANTS Jan AG2R LA MONDIALE
50 YATES Adam ORICA-BIKEEXCHANGE
51 CLEMENT Stef IAM CYCLING
52 KONRAD Patrick BORA-ARGON 18
53 LANGEVELD Sebastian CANNONDALE DRAPAC TEAM
54 SEPULVEDA Eduardo FORTUNEO – VITAL CONCEPT
55 GAUTIER Cyril AG2R LA MONDIALE
56 POZZOVIVO Domenico AG2R LA MONDIALE
57 MOLLEMA Bauke TREK – SEGAFREDO
58 VAN AVERMAET Greg BMC RACING TEAM
59 MARTIN Daniel ETIXX-QUICK STEP
60 GRMAY Tsgabu Gebremaryam LAMPRE – MERIDA
61 GALLOPIN Tony LOTTO SOUDAL
62 BONNET William FDJ
63 PAUWELS Serge TEAM DIMENSION DATA
64 NAVARDAUSKAS Ramunas CANNONDALE DRAPAC TEAM
65 LANDA Mikel TEAM SKY
66 PINOT Thibaut FDJ
67 FEILLU Brice FORTUNEO – VITAL CONCEPT
68 VICHOT Arthur FDJ
69 SCHLECK Frank TREK – SEGAFREDO
70 JEANDESBOZ Fabrice DIRECT ENERGIE
70 HENAO Sergio Luis TEAM SKY
72 DUMOULIN Tom TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN
73 REICHENBACH Sébastien FDJ
74 BUCHMANN Emanuel BORA-ARGON 18
75 FRANK Mathias IAM CYCLING
76 RICHEZE Ariel Maximiliano ETIXX-QUICK STEP
77 DEGENKOLB John TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN
77 RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin TEAM KATUSHA
79 HOLLENSTEIN Reto IAM CYCLING
80 ROOSEN Timo TEAM LOTTO NL – JUMBO
81 SORENSEN Chris Anker FORTUNEO – VITAL CONCEPT
82 GASTAUER Ben AG2R LA MONDIALE
83 KANGERT Tanel ASTANA PRO TEAM
84 SINKELDAM Ramon TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN
85 SICARD Romain DIRECT ENERGIE
85 DELAPLACE Anthony FORTUNEO – VITAL CONCEPT
85 LADAGNOUS Matthieu FDJ
88 FONSECA Armindo FORTUNEO – VITAL CONCEPT
89 VUILLERMOZ Alexis AG2R LA MONDIALE
90 ZUBELDIA Haimar TREK – SEGAFREDO
91 MARTENS Paul TEAM LOTTO NL – JUMBO
92 GESCHKE Simon TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN
93 LOSADA Alberto TEAM KATUSHA
94 TEN DAM Laurens TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN
95 NIEVE Mikel TEAM SKY
96 TULIK ANGÉLO DIRECT ENERGIE
97 POLANC Jan LAMPRE – MERIDA
98 BOASSON HAGEN Edvald TEAM DIMENSION DATA
99 PIBERNIK Luka LAMPRE – MERIDA
100 MORENO FERNANDEZ Daniel MOVISTAR TEAM
101 IZAGUIRRE Gorka MOVISTAR TEAM
102 ROUX Anthony FDJ
103 MORABITO Steve FDJ
104 DUCHESNE Antoine DIRECT ENERGIE
104 CHAVANEL Sylvain DIRECT ENERGIE
106 HUZARSKI Bartosz BORA-ARGON 18
107 LINDEMAN Bert Jan TEAM LOTTO NL – JUMBO @ 0′ 19”
108 MARTIN Tony ETIXX-QUICK STEP @ 0′ 19”
109 BURGHARDT Marcus BMC RACING TEAM @ 0′ 21”
109 DURASEK Kristijan LAMPRE – MERIDA @ 0′ 21”
111 STUYVEN Jasper TREK – SEGAFREDO @ 0′ 21”
112 LAPORTE Christophe COFIDIS, SOLUTIONS CREDITS @ 0′ 21”
113 SABATINI Fabio ETIXX-QUICK STEP @ 0′ 25”
114 ROELANDTS Jurgen LOTTO SOUDAL @ 0′ 28”
115 IMPEY Daryl ORICA-BIKEEXCHANGE @ 0′ 32”
116 TOSATTO Matteo TINKOFF @ 0′ 37”
117 GUARNIERI Jacopo TEAM KATUSHA @ 0′ 37”
118 DEBUSSCHERE Jens LOTTO SOUDAL @ 0′ 42”
119 CURVERS Roy TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN @ 0′ 46”
120 STETINA Peter TREK – SEGAFREDO @ 0′ 52”
121 MATE MARDONES Luis Angel COFIDIS, SOLUTIONS CREDITS @ 0′ 52”
122 ARASHIRO Yukiya LAMPRE – MERIDA @ 0′ 52”
123 HENDERSON Gregory LOTTO SOUDAL @ 0′ 52”
124 JANSE VAN RENSBURG Reinardt TEAM DIMENSION DATA @ 0′ 57”
125 NAESEN Oliver IAM CYCLING + 01′ 11”
126 RENSHAW Mark TEAM DIMENSION DATA + 01′ 14”
127 KEISSE Iljo ETIXX-QUICK STEP + 01′ 14”
128 PETIT Adrien DIRECT ENERGIE + 01′ 14”
129 ROY Jérémy FDJ + 01′ 33”
130 KOREN Kristijan CANNONDALE DRAPAC TEAM + 01′ 33”
131 ROWE Luke TEAM SKY + 01′ 33”
132 KIRYIENKA Vasili TEAM SKY + 01′ 33”
133 GENE Yohann DIRECT ENERGIE + 01′ 33”
134 KISERLOVSKI Robert TINKOFF + 01′ 33”
135 GRIVKO Andriy ASTANA PRO TEAM + 01′ 33”
136 EDET Nicolas COFIDIS, SOLUTIONS CREDITS + 01′ 33”
137 SLAGTER Tom Jelte CANNONDALE DRAPAC TEAM + 01′ 33”
138 HANSEN Adam LOTTO SOUDAL + 01′ 33”
139 TIRALONGO Paolo ASTANA PRO TEAM + 01′ 33”
140 CANCELLARA Fabian TREK – SEGAFREDO + 01′ 33”
141 BARTA Jan BORA-ARGON 18 + 01′ 33”
142 STANNARD Ian TEAM SKY + 01′ 33”
143 BENNETT George TEAM LOTTO NL – JUMBO + 01′ 33”
144 VOSS Paul BORA-ARGON 18 + 01′ 33”
145 TEKLEHAIMANOT Daniel TEAM DIMENSION DATA + 01′ 33”
146 ARCHBOLD Shane BORA-ARGON 18 + 01′ 33”
147 PLAZA MOLINA Ruben ORICA-BIKEEXCHANGE + 01′ 33”
148 DURBRIDGE Luke ORICA-BIKEEXCHANGE + 01′ 33”
149 ZAKARIN Ilnur TEAM KATUSHA + 01′ 33”
150 MOINARD Amaël BMC RACING TEAM + 01′ 33”
151 BREEN Vegard FORTUNEO – VITAL CONCEPT + 01′ 33”
152 DENNIS Rohan BMC RACING TEAM + 01′ 33”
153 COPPEL Jérôme IAM CYCLING + 01′ 33”
154 COUSIN Jérome COFIDIS, SOLUTIONS CREDITS + 01′ 33”
155 BOZIC Borut COFIDIS, SOLUTIONS CREDITS + 01′ 33”
156 WYNANTS Maarten TEAM LOTTO NL – JUMBO + 01′ 33”
157 IZAGUIRRE Ion MOVISTAR TEAM + 01′ 33”
158 EISEL Bernhard TEAM DIMENSION DATA + 01′ 33”
159 SIEBERG Marcel LOTTO SOUDAL + 01′ 46”
160 ALBASINI Michael ORICA-BIKEEXCHANGE + 01′ 56”
161 IRIZAR Markel TREK – SEGAFREDO + 02′ 02”
162 TIMMER Albert TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN + 02′ 08”
163 VALGREN ANDERSEN Michael TINKOFF + 02′ 10”
164 VAKOC Petr ETIXX-QUICK STEP + 02′ 10”
165 VACHON Florian FORTUNEO – VITAL CONCEPT + 03′ 14”
166 VAN BAARLE Dylan CANNONDALE DRAPAC TEAM + 03′ 14”
167 LEMOINE Cyril COFIDIS, SOLUTIONS CREDITS + 03′ 46”
168 DE GENDT Thomas LOTTO SOUDAL + 04′ 52”
169 POELS Wouter TEAM SKY + 04′ 52”
170 PERICHON Pierre-Luc FORTUNEO – VITAL CONCEPT + 04′ 52”
171 FUGLSANG Jakob ASTANA PRO TEAM + 04′ 52”
172 ANACONA GOMEZ Winner Andrew MOVISTAR TEAM + 04′ 55”
173 HALLER Marco TEAM KATUSHA + 04′ 55”
174 HERRADA Jesús MOVISTAR TEAM + 04′ 57”
175 JUUL-JENSEN Christopher ORICA-BIKEEXCHANGE + 05′ 00”
176 BENEDETTI Cesare BORA-ARGON 18 + 05′ 00”
177 HOWARD Leigh IAM CYCLING + 05′ 02”
178 SCHILLINGER Andreas BORA-ARGON 18 + 05′ 05”
179 WAGNER Robert TEAM LOTTO NL – JUMBO + 05′ 05”
180 PINEAU Cedric FDJ + 06′ 01”
181 MAJKA Rafal TINKOFF + 06′ 28”
182 BODNAR Maciej TINKOFF + 06′ 28”
183 BONO Matteo LAMPRE – MERIDA + 06′ 28”
184 LUTSENKO Alexey ASTANA PRO TEAM + 06′ 28”
185 VOECKLER Thomas DIRECT ENERGIE + 06′ 28”
186 HOWES Alex CANNONDALE DRAPAC TEAM + 06′ 28”
187 NAVARRO Daniel COFIDIS, SOLUTIONS CREDITS + 06′ 28”
188 VICIOSO Angel TEAM KATUSHA + 06′ 28”
189 ERVITI Imanol MOVISTAR TEAM + 06′ 28”
190 OLIVEIRA Nelson MOVISTAR TEAM + 06′ 28”
191 BOOKWALTER Brent BMC RACING TEAM + 06′ 28”
192 CUMMINGS Stephen TEAM DIMENSION DATA + 06′ 28”
193 VERMOTE Julien ETIXX-QUICK STEP + 06′ 28”
194 BAK Lars Ytting LOTTO SOUDAL + 08′ 03”
195 GOUGEARD Alexis AG2R LA MONDIALE + 08′ 59”
196 BENNETT Sam BORA-ARGON 18 + 08′ 59”
197 BERHANE Natnael TEAM DIMENSION DATA + 08′ 59”
198 MORKOV Michael TEAM KATUSHA + 14′ 38”

Overall
1 SAGAN Peter TINKOFF 20h 03′ 02”
2 ALAPHILIPPE Julian ETIXX-QUICK STEP @ 0′ 12”
3 VALVERDE Alejandro MOVISTAR TEAM @ 0′ 14”
4 BARGUIL WARREN TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN @ 0′ 18”
5 FROOME Christopher TEAM SKY @ 0′ 18”
6 KREUZIGER Roman TINKOFF @ 0′ 18”
7 QUINTANA Nairo MOVISTAR TEAM @ 0′ 18”
8 ARU Fabio ASTANA PRO TEAM @ 0′ 18”
9 MATTHEWS Michael ORICA-BIKEEXCHANGE @ 0′ 18”
10 ROLLAND Pierre CANNONDALE DRAPAC TEAM @ 0′ 18”
11 GALLOPIN Tony LOTTO SOUDAL @ 0′ 18”
12 GERRANS Simon ORICA-BIKEEXCHANGE @ 0′ 18”
13 MARTIN Daniel ETIXX-QUICK STEP @ 0′ 18”
14 KELDERMAN Wilco TEAM LOTTO NL – JUMBO @ 0′ 18”
15 VAN GARDEREN Tejay BMC RACING TEAM @ 0′ 18”
16 VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen TEAM KATUSHA @ 0′ 18”
17 FARIA DA COSTA Rui Alberto LAMPRE – MERIDA @ 0′ 18”
18 BARDET Romain AG2R LA MONDIALE @ 0′ 18”
19 YATES Adam ORICA-BIKEEXCHANGE @ 0′ 18”
20 VAN AVERMAET Greg BMC RACING TEAM @ 0′ 18”
26 RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin TEAM KATUSHA @ 0′ 18”
28 NIBALI Vincenzo ASTANA PRO TEAM @ 0′ 29”
31 PINOT Thibaut FDJ @ 0′ 29”
54 CONTADOR Alberto TINKOFF + 01′ 06”
71 PORTE Richie BMC RACING TEAM + 02′ 03”

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