Final KM: Volta a Catalunya Stage 4, Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde

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.

Video

Bring on Le Tour…

Movistar's interpretation of the uphill train is so much more fun than Sky's. #VoltaCatalunya

— Felix Schönbach (@Felixschoenbach) March 22, 2018

Egan Bernal’s impressive ride leaves him second overall…

🗣 "What more could you ask of him? It gave me goosebumps, calling the race to him on the radio. That’s the future right there." – Sport Director @bdlancaster on @Eganbernal

📝 > https://t.co/zgsiVdOF9J pic.twitter.com/ucNOltGcYb

— Team Sky (@TeamSky) March 22, 2018

Let’s just think about this…

When Alejandro Valverde turned pro in 2002 with Kelme, Egan Bernal was four years old

— Andy McGrath (@Andymcgra) March 22, 2018

When live coverage of the stage started Esteban Chaves had attacked from the breakaway and was racing solo. It was marvellous.

#VoltaCatalunya 60km to go and @estecharu attacked away from the breakaway and is leading the race solo with a 1”10 advantage over the peloton. pic.twitter.com/LDIuA8bYAu

— Mitchelton-SCOTT (@MitcheltonSCOTT) March 22, 2018

As was Hugh Carthy (EF Education First-Drapac) climbing into the top 10 from 59th!

#VoltaCatalunya: Hugh Carthy climbs to ninth place atop La Molina as Valverede wins the queen stage and moves back into the race lead. pic.twitter.com/DUy8eQGVMS

— EF Education First – Drapac p/b Cannondale (@Ride_Argyle) March 22, 2018

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.

#Driedaagse Post race interview from today’s #UCIWWT winner @JolienDhoore 🎤

🎥 @Voxwomen pic.twitter.com/bxkKD5GIwa

— Mitchelton-SCOTT (@MitcheltonSCOTT) March 22, 2018

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.

"I just let my feelings guide me. I was happy to get away and it sounded promising in the radio, and then just before the last corner I heard the chains behind me, and I knew it was over." 💬@mieke_kroeger🇩🇪💪#UCIWWT #Driedaagse
Recap:📝⬇️https://t.co/wP91X735jG

— Team VIRTU Cycling (@VirtuCyclingW) March 22, 2018

Mixed feelings about today's first ever womens #Driedaagse #UCIWWT. Incredible team work to deliver me to second (yet another podium). Bummed I couldn't finish it off for my ladies. Grazie mille raga!

— Chloe Hosking (@chloe_hosking) March 22, 2018

Love this idea from the Lion of Roubaix #LanterneRougeLioness…

#Driedaagse 🇧🇪 Having supported her team and battled the elements, Holly Breck @breckinball441 @CylanceCycling becomes our latest lanterne rouge lioness. Chapeau Holly, awesome ride. 📸 Velofocus #bringthegreen pic.twitter.com/IaV0Tg5pYH

— Lion of Roubaix (@lionofroubaix) March 23, 2018

Full race report at Cycling News

Race Website Race Twitter #Driedaagse

Header image: – Podium at Driedaagse