Santiago Umba (Solution Tech Nippo Rali) won the fourth stage of the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai, beating in a tight sprint Jan Castellon (Caja Rural) and Emanuel Buchman (Cofidis). The decisive moment came from an attack launched by the Spaniard during the climb, which was then joined by Umba on the descent and Buchmann in the final kilometers. Jan Castellon is the new leader of the general classification.

THE RACE. A cold and treacherous stage for the fourth day of the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai, 196 km from Huzhu to Guide. The riders first faced the 3rd category climb of Hongya, positioned at approximately mid-race, and then the insidious ascent to Zongkalaize which took them to an altitude of 3800 m. The final climb was positioned approximately 50 km from the finish line.

It was a very fast start with an average speed in the first hour exceeding 60 km/h, with many athletes attempting to break away from the peloton from the very beginning. The winning attack came from Nils Sinschek and Raman Tsishkou. The Li Ning Star team duo managed to gain up to 8 minutes advantage over the main group.

During the climb towards the hors category climb, Sinschek forced the pace and remained in command. As expected, the race literally exploded and kilometer after kilometer the group recovered all the lost time on the breakaway rider. In the final part of the climb, Spain's Jan Castellon from Caja Rural made an attempt and passed through the climb in first place with about ten seconds advantage over the strong group of approximately twenty riders.

During the descent, Colombian Santiago Umba managed to rejoin the head of the race. The two riders, working together, attempted to maintain a twenty-second advantage over the group in strong pursuit.

Approximately 6 km from the finish line, with a solo move, Emanuel Buchmann caught up with the two attackers while in the group the teams failed to find an agreement. The indecision of the peloton favored the three breakaway riders who were able to fight for the stage victory. Umba made the most of his sprint and managed to secure the fourth stage of the Chinese race.

Tomorrow Jan Castellon will face the fifth stage of the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai wearing the leader's jersey. The group will depart from Guide and reach Gonghe after 136 km, with all the climbs concentrated in the first 50 km, the remaining 80 km featuring a rolling section and finally a descent that will lead to the finish line positioned above 3000 m.

STAGE RESULTS

1  Umba Santiago  Solution Tech NIPPO Rali 4:28:31

2  Castellon Jan Caja Rural - Seguros RGA ,,

3  Buchmann Emanuel  Cofidis ,,

4  Christie-Johnston Alastair CCACHE x BODYWRAP 0:12

5  Konychev Alexander China Anta - Mentech Cycling Team 0:18

6  Bagatin Christian  MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort ,,

7  Darder Sergi Caja Rural - Seguros RGA ,,

8  Mulubrhan Henok Burgos Burpellet BH ,,

9  Álvarez Rodrigo XDS Astana Team ,,

10 Martinelli Alessio Bardiani CSF 7 Saber ,,

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1  Castellon Jan Caja Rural - Seguros RGA 15:47:08

2  Buchmann Emanuel Cofidis 0:02

3  Mulubrhan Henok XDS Astana Team 0:12

4  Caicedo Jonathan Klever Wheeltop Rotor Chengdu Team ,,

5  Fagúndez Eric Antonio Burgos Burpellet BH 0:20

6  Agirre Jon Euskaltel - Euskadi 0:21

7  Fernández Samuel Caja Rural - Seguros RGA ,,

8  Rapp Jonas FNIX - SCOM - Hengxiang Cycling Team 0:24

9  Tolio Alex Bardiani CSF 7 Saber ,,

10 Bizkarra Mikel Euskaltel - Euskadi 0:28