Ayuso climbs podium at Tour de Romandie

Young Juan Ayuso put in a mature display to take 3rd place on stage 4 of the Tour de Romandie which took the riders from Aigle to Zinal (Val d’Anniviers) (180.1km).

On the uphill sprint to the line it was Marc Hirschi who sacrificed himself to pull back the lone leader Einar Rubio (Movistar) in the closing kilometre to tee-up Ayuso for the gruelling finish.

The spoils went to Bora Hansgrohe who finished first and second with Sergio Higuita and Aleksandr Vlasov respectively.

Ayuso’s third place moves him up to 2nd on the general classification with one stage remaining and he will wear the white jersey as best young rider.

 
Ayuso: “I’m very happy with this result and the way the team rode today, I think we worked well together. I had a mechanical in the middle and Finn did a great job to tow me back to the front and then when there was still a rider out in front a the end Hirschi put in a huge turn to bring it back.

I tried my best in the sprint but 3rd was all I could get.It’s great to be in second now but it’s very tight and things could all change tomorrow and I could lose placing or potentially even gain one so we will see. Also to wear the best young riders jersey is really satisfying at a big race like this.”

 
Tomorrow stage 5 will will see the race conclude with a time trial from Aigle to Villars (15.8km).

Tour de Romandie Stage 4 results

1.Sergio Higuita (Bora-Hansgrohe) 4:58:52
2.Aleksandr Vlasov (Bora-Hansgrohe) s.t
3.Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) s.t

Tour de Romandie general classification after stage 4

1.Rohan Dennis (Jumbo-Visma) 17:27:01
2.Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) +15’’
3.Aleksandr Vlasov (Bora-Hansgrohe) +18’’