Yet another display of dominance, yet another victory for Lorena Wiebes, her third at the Tour of Britain. The Dutch superstar from Team SD Worx Protime won the fourth stage from Llanidloes to Hay on Wye, prevailing in a reduced group sprint ahead of Liane Lippert (Team Movistar) and Kim Le Court Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal Team). The decisive moment came at the Clyro Hill climb, the day's final ascent, where Liane Lippert and Kimberley Le Court Pienaar attempted to shake things up, but Wiebes was never caught off guard.
THE RACE. Another edition of the Tour of Britain full of pitfalls. The fourth stage covered 138.3 km from Llanidloes to Hay on Wye, with 3 categorized climbs to tackle, but a completely flat finish. The breakaway formed immediately after the official start and featured Fleur Moors as the protagonist. For 90 km the Belgian athlete from Lidl Trek team rode solo at the front, managing to build an advantage of up to 2'50" over the main group, from which Alessia Vigilia (Uno X Mobility) and Dilyxine Miermont (Team Picnic PostNL) then emerged.
The attempt by the three breakaway riders ended 27 km from the finish, and attacks immediately began from various riders. Just before the Clyro Hill climb, the day's final ascent, Team Movistar delivered a sharp acceleration that launched Liane Lippert's attack, promptly followed by the general classification leader Kim Le Court Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal Team). Lorena Wiebes chose to climb at her own pace and, together with a small group, managed to rejoin the breakaway riders on the subsequent descent.
The final 13 kilometers were far from quiet, with successive attacks in the lead group attempting to catch Lorena Wiebes, the most dangerous rider in case of a sprint finish. The Dutch athlete closed down every attempt, maintaining total control of the race, and then beat her rivals in the sprint. This marks Wiebes' third victory in three days, her eighteenth of the season.
Kim Le Court Pienaar maintains the leader's jersey with 24" over Liane Lippert and 29" over Lorena Wiebes. Tomorrow the final stage will be held with start and finish in Leamington Spa. It's 123.8 km almost completely flat, perfect for a sprint finish, but watch out for the time bonuses on offer at the intermediate sprint and the finish line—they could prove decisive for the podium positions.
STAGE RESULTS
1 Wiebes Lorena Team SD Worx-Protime 03:41:13
2 Lippert Liane Movistar Team + 00
3 Le Court Kim AG Insurance-Soudal Team + 00
4 Courtney Kate FDJ United-SUEZ + 00
5 Georgi Pfeiffer Team Picnic PostNL + 00
6 Swinkels Karlijn UAE Team L'IMAD + 00
7 de Vries Femke Team Visma | Lease a Bike + 00
8 Couzens Millie Fenix-Premier Tech + 00
9 Moors Fleur Lidl-Trek + 00
10 Talbot Josie Liv AlUla Jayco + 00
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1 Le Court Kim AG Insurance-Soudal Team 13:59:35
2 Lippert Liane Movistar Team + 24
3 Wiebes Lorena Team SD Worx-Protime + 29
4 Andersson Caroline Liv AlUla Jayco + 39
5 de Vries Femke Team Visma | Lease a Bike + 44
6 Swinkels Karlijn UAE Team L'IMAD + 46
7 Bredewold Mischa Team SD Worx-Protime + 46
8 Ludwig Cecilie Uttrup CANYON//SRAM + 46
9 Nelson Josie Team Picnic PostNL + 56
10 Markus Riejanne Lidl-Trek + 01:06
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