Cycling: First breakaway victory at the Giro d'Italia. Frenchman Aurélien Paret-Peintre won stage four ahead of Andreas Leknessund. But the Norwegian can also be happy. He took over the pink jersey from Remco Evenepoel, who deliberately gave up the overall lead.
Paret-Peintre WINS as a breakaway at Lago Laceno
Day four of the Giro d'Italia was a day for the breakaways. After a long struggle, seven men were able to break away from the main field and decide the stage victory at Lago Laceno among themselves. In an exciting fight on the final climb, the Norwegian finally won Andreas Leknessund (DSM) and the Frenchman Aurélien Paret-Peintre (AG2R – Citröen) detach from their companions. Shortly before the summit, Leknessund attacked again. But the already distanced Paret-Peintre came back again. In the sprint for the day's win, he then had the better legs, also because Leknessund was racing for every second because of the pink jersey. He finally succeeded in doing so, so that ultimately both had reason to be happy at the finish. Nothing happened in the main draw among the favorites. The Ineos Grenadiers team kept the pace high. There were no attacks.
Pinot collects more mountain points
It took a long time for the first breakaway group to form on the 175-kilometer stage from Venosa to Lago Laceno. When the road was wet, many teams tried to send a professional to flee, but other teams followed suit again and again. So it happened that in the first mountain classification - the Passo delle Crocelle - the Frenchman Thibaut Pinot (Groupama – FDJ) was able to get the full number of points from the field in the fight for the blue jersey. His compatriot is no longer there Paul Lapeira (AG2R – Citroën), who had to retire today. With that he has Tour of Italy only to report his first task on day four.
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Seven outliers
After the first climb, a breakaway group of seven has formed. The Norwegian Andreas Leknessund (DSM), the Eritreans Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier (Trek – Segafredo), the Latvian Tom's Skujins (Trek – Segafredo), the French Aurélien Paret-Peintre (AG2R – Citröen) and Warren Barguil (Arkéa – Samsic), as well as the Italians Vincenzo Albanese (Eolo – comet) and Nicola Conci (Alpecin – Deceuninck) immediately gained a lead of over three minutes. Behind it fought desperately Bruno Armirail (Groupama – FDJ) to connect. But the Frenchman had no chance alone. Eventually he had to give up his exhausting endeavor. Ghebreigzabhier, on the other hand, had a good day. He won the second mountain classification.
Evenepoel gives up Rosa
The Soudal – Quick-Step team controlled the pace of the peloton throughout the day. Since no other team joined them, the gap to the escapees increased to over five minutes after the second climb. As announced seemed Remco Evenepoel (Soudal – Quick-Step) consciously wanting to give up his Maglia Rosa today. With a lead of 4:30 minutes, the leading group drove into the final climb. While the stage win was fought for at the front, valuable seconds for the overall standings were at stake behind them.
Paret-Peintre beats Leknessund in a double sprint
Seated as the first rider in the breakaway group Nicola Conci (Alpecin – Deceuninck) his attack. But the Italian was caught up again shortly afterwards and passed. Also the attack of Tom's Skujins (Trek - Segafredo) has been countered. Above all Vincenzo Albanese (Eolo – Kometa) worked a lot to keep the group together. Eventually they could Aurélien Paret-Peintre (AG2R – Citröen) and Andreas Leknessund (DSM) detach from their companions. With 4,3 kilometers to go, the decision seemed to be made. The Norwegian Leknessund went out of the saddle again and also left the Frenchman behind. He had every reason to fight because not only was the stage win within reach, but so was the pink jersey. But Paret-Peintre came back again. Together, the two drove over the last mountain classification. In the sprint for the day's win, Paret-Peintre ended up having the better legs, also because Leknessund kept the pace up to keep his chance for Rosa alive.
Leknessund takes the pink jersey
In the peloton, all the helpers gradually fell away Remco Evenepoel (Soudal – Quick-Step) back. The British team Ineos Grenadiers took command. Many drivers – among others too Build Mollema (Trek – Segafredo) – had to be torn down. But there were no attacks by the favorites. A group of around 30 people crossed the finish line together. The new wearer of the pink jersey is Andreas Leknessund (DSM) from Norway.
MAGNIFIQUE AURÉLIEN PARET-PEINTRE! Le Français (AG2R Citroën) remporte la 4e étape du #Turn devant Leknessund, qui s'empare du maillot rose ! #LesRP pic.twitter.com/0VqucTNZmK
— Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) May 9, 2023