Another win for a breakaway opportunist, and another missed chance for the sprinters, after a late attack from Jasper Stuyven (Trek Segafredo) saw the Belgian rider claim stage 4 of the BinckBank Tour. The Trek rider attacked with just over 1km to go after an excellent set-up from his teammates. The 26-year-old quickly established a gap and despite a frantic chase from the bunch was able to hang on and take the win with Caleb Ewan (Mitchelton-Scott) taking second and Zdenek Stybar (Quick-Step Floors) taking third. The decisive moment came with 1.8km to go. Trek Segafredo, without a pure sprinter in the race, hit the front and drove the pace with Mätthias Brandle, and Ryan Mullen hitting the front. They led through a 90-degree corner with Stuyven assuming the lead as the Irishman pulled up. Mads Pedersen - who had been on Stuyven's wheel - then eased off, allowing his teammate to create a 100m gap as he accelerated through the final turn. That was all the Belgian needed to take his first win since last year's race. Mitchelton-Scott threw everything at a last-ditch chase but Stuyven hung on to take a well-deserved victory.ADVERTISEMENT In the overall standings, Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Merida) extended his lead by two seconds. He responded when second-placed Sean De Bie (Veranda's Willems Crelan) looked to take time during the Golden Kilometre, and the overnight leader now heads the race by three seconds ahead of stage 5. Stefan Kung (BMC Racing) remains at 22 seconds and in third overall. How it unfolded The stage saw a break go clear in the opening kilometres, but a chase and the promise of crosswinds saw the peloton reform with under 100km of racing to go. A second move eventually broke free with the Pro Continental teams once more on the charge. Nick van der Lijke (Roompot-Dutch Lottery), Dries De Bondt (Verandas Willems-Crelan), Alex Kirsch (WB Aqua Protect Veranclassic) and Edward Planckaert (Sport Flanders-Baloise) quickly established a minute advantage. However, the bunch were eager not to repeat the antics of stage 3, in which they squandered the chance to set up a bunch sprint. This time the move was nullified with just over 32km to go, although Kirsch put in one final turn as the race began the first of two finishing circuits.
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com.read full article
