Olav Kooij makes the decisive move at the finish line of the fourth stage of Tirreno-Adriatico, the Norcia - Trasacco of 190 km, conquering a prestigious victory ahead of his compatriots Pluimers (Tudor Pro Cycling) and Mathieu Van der Poel (Alpecin Deceuninck). Plenty of Italy in the top ten with Maestri fifth, Vendrame sixth, Ganna seventh, Lonardi ninth and Fiorelli tenth.

THE RACE. An animated and open stage for the fourth day of racing. The start was set in Norcia in Umbria, then the group crossed Italy to finish in Trasacco in the province of L'Aquila. 190 total kilometers characterized by a first part with the climbs of Forca della Civita and Valico La Crocetta, two ascents of 14 and 12 km respectively, but not too challenging. After passing through Ovindoli about 60 km from the finish, the road was almost flat. Notable was a double final circuit involving the group in the last 30 km and the killer climb ending 5 km from the finish line.

The early stages of the race were completely animated with various attack attempts always promptly closed by the group, the day's breakaway forming only after more than 50 km of racing. 5 men in the attack, here are their names: Jonas Rutsch (Intermarchè Wanty), Jorge Arcas (Team Movistar), William Blume Levy (Uno x), Gijs Leemreize (Picnic PosNL) and Mirco Maestri (Polti Visit Malta). Maestri and Leemireize had also been protagonists of previous attack attempts. The breakaway riders managed to gain up to 6'30" on the group, a substantial advantage that literally reduced on the La Crocetta pass, the second mountain point of the day. Nothing doing for Jonathan Milan who lost contact with the group along with other sprinters.

Right after the descent, the race literally exploded thanks to the hard work of the Team Ineos Grenadiers who took advantage of the false flat section with crosswinds, the pace increased and the peloton literally split. Among the dropped riders were Simon Yates, Derek Gee, Eddie Dunbar. At 41 kilometers from the finish, Filippo Ganna tried a further forcing that broke the group for about ten kilometers, Joan Ayuso, always attentive on the blue jersey's wheel, was never caught off guard. In the chasing group, the work of Soudal Quickstep was fundamental, spending much for Mikel Landa and bringing back all the other classification riders previously dropped.

It was not easy to catch the escapees who resisted even on the fearsome climb 5 km from the finish where Ben Healy tried, unsuccessfully, to make the difference. At the Trasacco finish line, the victory was decided in a sprint with Olav Kooij placing his decisive move. This is the third seasonal success for the Dutchman of Team Visma Lease a Bike who resisted the day's challenges. An all-Dutch podium with Rick Pluimers (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) in second place and Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin Deceuninck) third.

No substantial changes in the general classification with Filippo Ganna who will start tomorrow for the fifth stage from Ascoli Piceno to Pergola with the blue jersey and 22" advantage over Juan Ayuso.

to read the live coverage of the entire stage CLICK HERE

FINISH ORDER

1. Kooij Olav (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) in 04:48:05
2. Pluimers Rick (Tudor Pro Cycling Team)
3. van der Poel Mathieu (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
4. Magnier Paul (Soudal Quick-Step)
5. Maestri Mirco (Team Polti VisitMalta)
6. Vendrame Andrea (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team)
7. Ganna Filippo (INEOS Grenadiers)
8. Pidcock Tom (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team)
9. Lonardi Giovanni (Team Polti VisitMalta)
10. Fiorelli Filippo (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè)