Elia Viviani maintained a tradition alive as he scored the sixth Italian stage win in sixteen stage finishes in Nancy after Fausto Coppi, Aldo Parecchini, Lorenzo Bernucci and Matteo Trentin. He even received the help of race leader Julian Alaphilippe to win a bunch sprint ahead of Alexander Kristoff and Caleb Ewan.
Schär, Backaert and Offredo in the lead
176 riders took the start of stage 4 in Reims. Michael Schär (CCC), Frederik Backaert and Yoann Offredo (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) attacked from the gun. Their advantage of 3’10’’ after 10km of racing was established as a norm by the chasing teams of Lotto-Soudal, Jumbo-Visma and Deceuninck-Quick Step. They respectively designated Maxime Monfort, Tony Martin and Yves Lampaert to set the pace. The maximum time gap was 3’40’’ at côte des Rosières (km 121). Two crashes affected several riders including Tony Gallopin (AG2R-La Mondiale), Patrick Konrad (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Gianni Moscon (Ineos) but everyone got back on.
Lilian Calmejane for 6km at the front
The deficit of the peloton decreased slightly with 2’35’’ being recorded 80km before the end. It remained all under control for the sprinters’ teams with a deficit of 1’30’’ with 50km to go. The gap was down to 40’’ as 40km were yet to be covered. Schär attacked with 30km remaining. Backaert reacted and Offredo was reeled in. The sprinters’ teams were in no hurry to catch the leading duo. Schär dropped Backaert off up the côte de Maron but he was also brought back by the pack before the top with 16.5km to go. Lilian Calmejane (Total Direct Energie) attacked from the compact bunch with 11km to go. The Frenchman remained at the front with 6’’ lead for 6km until the peloton led by Lotto-Soudal brought him back.
Julian Alaphilippe positions Elia Viviani
White jersey holder Wout van Aert led the charge for Dylan Groenewegen with 1km to go but yellow jersey Julian Alaphilippe positioned the Deceuninck-Quick Step train at the front and Elia Viviani made the most of his train formed of Max Richeze and Michael Morkov to overtake Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) at the very end. He completes his Grand Tour trilogy after he won stages at the Giro d’Italia and La Vuelta previously. The last Italian stage winner at the Tour was Fabio Aru at La Planche des Belles Filles two years ago. In four stages, only two teams have won so far: Jumbo-Visma and Deceuninck-Quick Step.
