Movistar dominated the Volta Catalunya Queen stage but not without a fight. Over in Belgium the women drove a brutal race to a whirlwind sprint conclusion.
Volta a Catalunya Stage 4: Llanars to La Molina, 170.8km
Alejandro Valverde took the stage win and grabbed back the race lead after a storming show of strength by Movistar on the slopes of La Molina. Sky’s Egan Bernal and Pierre Latour (AG2R-La Mondiale) went toe-to-toe with Valverde, Nairo Quintana and Marc Soler. Bernal distanced Quintana but there was nothing the 21 year old Colombian could do to stop Valverde pouncing past him at the finish line. Quintana rounded out the podium with Latour fighting on to claim fourth.
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Bring on Le Tour…
Egan Bernal’s impressive ride leaves him second overall…
Let’s just think about this…
When live coverage of the stage started Esteban Chaves had attacked from the breakaway and was racing solo. It was marvellous.
As was Hugh Carthy (EF Education First-Drapac) climbing into the top 10 from 59th!
Full race report at Cycling News
Race Website Race Twitter #VoltaCatalunya
Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde: Brugge to De Panne, 151.7km
Jolien D’Hoore timed her sprint perfectly to take the her first win for new team Mitchelton-Scott after a brutal day for this new women’s race. The Belgian champion came from behind to just pip Chloe Hoskins (Ale-Cippolni) with Christine Majerus (Boels-Dolmans) rounding out the podium. Women’s WorldTour leader Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) was not racing but retains her overall lead after four races.
Video. (Full confession – I have Christine Majerus hat envy)
Always special to see the Belgian national Champion on the top step of the podium in Belgium.
Team Virtu Cycling placed three riders in the break of the day. Mieke Kroeger attacked on the final lap with about 10km to goand held on until 700m to go. I can almost hear those chains getting loser and closer.
Love this idea from the Lion of Roubaix #LanterneRougeLioness…
Full race report at Cycling News
Race Website Race Twitter #Driedaagse
Header image: – Podium at Driedaagse
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