- Australian Kaden Groves Wins Stage Four of Vuelta an España
- Sprint Finish Drama and Groves’ Victory
- Sabotage Attempt During Stage Three Leads to Arrests
Tuesday’s stage four of the Vuelta an Espaa was won by Australian Kaden Groves of Alpecin-Deceuninck in a sprint finish after an early breakaway was brought back before the finish.
The fourth stage was an 184.6-kilometer ride from Andorra la Vella to Tarragona, with two category three climbs in the final 60 kilometers and a peloton collision with four kilometers remaining.
Groves was in a fine position entering the final kilometer, but he had to contend with Juan Sebastián Molano (UAE Team Emirates) and Julius van den Berg (EF Education-Easypost). After going out early, Molano appeared to win after Van den Berg hit the barriers. Molano held the lead coming off the final turn, but Groves surged past him to win the stage.
“Sebas [Molano] went full from the bottom with 350 meters remaining, and I was fortunate enough to be patient and strong enough to close the gap with about 100 meters remaining,” Groves said. “I was confident I could surpass him because he took the initiative from the start. On a finish like that, which is extremely difficult and lengthy. I believed he would have to be having an exceptional day to defeat me.”
Groves, who won a stage last year’s Vuelta, was followed by Molano and Lidl-Trek’s Edward Theuns.
A three-man escape at the start threatened the stage’s first sprint finish of the year. With just 22 kilometers remaining, Eduardo Sepulveda (Lotto Dstny) was the first rider to be overtaken. But only after earning maximum points on both climbs to assume the lead in the mountains classification.
Three kilometers later, the peloton caught the remaining two breakaway riders, Ander Okamika (Burgos-BH) and David González (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), setting up an exciting stage finale.
No change occurred at the summit of the overall rankings. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick-Step), the defending champion who won stage three. Still wears the red jersey and leads Enric Mas (Movistar) by five seconds. Lenny Martinez (Groupama-FDJ) maintains third position, ahead of this year’s Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma). Wednesday’s fifth stage is a mountainous 186.5-kilometer route between Morella and Burriana.
Four individuals have been detained in Catalonia for allegedly attempting to sabotage Monday’s third stage, according to Spanish police. Those apprehended were attempting to release approximately 400 liters of a liquid comparable to motor oil onto the roadway. Two 200-litre containers and an activation device with an electrovalve and timer were concealed in bushes on a bridge over a road where cyclists were anticipated.
The judge released them following additional inquiry but ordered them to stay 500 metres from the cycling race. They are being investigated for offenses against road safety, the environment, and public disorder.
