Aubin Sparfel claims the fourth stage of the Tour de l'Avenir, the Saint‑Vallier – Semur‑en‑Auxois covering 150 km, with a powerful and lucid sprint on the final pavé. The French talent makes up ground in the final meters and beats the Italian Mattia Negrente (XDS Astana Devo) and fellow Italian Riccardo Lorello, confirming his growth and his ability to perfectly read the most technical finishes. The yellow jersey of race leader returns to the shoulders of Belgian Niels Driesen (Lotto Group Wanty)

In the top ten there are still many Italians: Thomas Capra (fifth), Arrighetti (ninth) and Delle Vedove (tenth), a sign of good form for our home riders. Tomorrow features the 11.4 km time trial climb from Le Carroz to Flaine.

THE STAGE
The race ignites early with a breakaway of the highest caliber, ten riders escape: French champion Coudiere Cantin, Italian champion Negrente, Italian Lorello, Nicolas Milesi, Vanden Eynde, Ruesche, Feldhoffer, Matik, Wiggins and Lecoq. The group works together, holds on, attacks again, and seems capable of reaching the finish. But at 250 meters the scene changes: Sparfel comes out of the slipstream, increases his speed decisively and passes everyone with a pedal stroke that leaves no room for reply. A sprint from a true rider, on the pavé, in the heart of Burgundy.

FINISHING ORDER

1                                             Sparfel Aubin    Decathlon CMA CGM Development Team                            03:05:27

2                                             Negrente Mattia              XDS Astana Development Team                 + 02

3                                             Lorello Riccardo               Italy                       + 02

4                                             Vanden Eynde Mats       Lidl-Trek Future Racing                  + 02

5                                             Capra Thomas   Bahrain Victorious Development Team                  + 02

6                                             Solen Keije          Lotto-Groupe Wanty                      + 02

7                                             Cusack Nathan  EF Education-Aevolo                      + 02

8                                             Feldhoffer Bálint              Bahrain Victorious Development Team                  + 02

9                                             Arrighetti Nicoló              Italy                       + 02

10                                          Delle Vedove Alessio      XDS Astana Development Team                 + 02