The fourth stage of the Vuelta España Women concluded moments ago at the finish line in Antas de Ulla with the victory of Lotte Kopecky. The Belgian from SD Worx Protime, wearing the green jersey, prevailed in the sprint ahead of her teammate Anna van der Breggen and Letizia Paternoster who brought Liv AlUla Jayco to the podium today. The success achieved at the end of the 115 kilometers scheduled for today allows the talented Belgian, two-time world champion, to also take the lead in the general classification, which Lotte now leads with a 6-second advantage over Koch.

THE STAGE - The stage that started from Monforte de Lemos opened immediately with several attacks, but the real breakaway was born thanks to the attack launched by French rider Marine Allione (Mayenne Monbana My Pie) together with Belgian Annelies Nijssen (Lotto Intermarchè Ladies); this pair was then joined by 31-year-old Australian Lauretta Hanson (Lidl – Trek) and Polish rider Marta Jaskulska (Human Powered Health), born in 2000.

Very active in the quartet, Allione won both the first climb of the day at the top of Alto de Oural and the one at Alto do Hospital, collecting the points that allowed her to take the lead in the climbers' classification.

About a dozen kilometers from the finish line, and with still more than a minute's advantage over the main group, Hanson and Jaskulska increased the pace, dropping the other two escapees who were soon caught by the peloton.

At the Monterroso Intermediate Sprint, the two escapees passed through with a few seconds' advantage over the group led by red jersey wearer Koch (who gained 2 seconds of time bonuses). In the final two kilometers of the race, the peloton increased speed and caught the escapees, then prepared for the final sprint. Lippert launched the sprint but was overtaken decisively by Kopecky, who put all her power on the pedals to secure the victory that had eluded her in recent days.

Tomorrow the Vuelta España Women will experience its fifth stage: a 119-kilometer stage starting from León and finishing in Astorga.

Updates to follow