McNulty and Costa hold top-10 heading into final day in Andalucia & Algarve

Brandon McNulty took home a solid 4th place on the short but sharp penultimate stage of Vuelta Andalucia (2.Pro) from Villanueva Mesia to Granada (125k).

With the race splitting up on the Cat.1 climb of El Purche in the last 25km McNulty held on to the elite group of favourites just being distanced in the final metres of the climb before taking 4th in a two-up sprint with Ion Izagirre (Astana), behind Jack Haig (Mitchelton Scott) who won the stage.

After a strong start to the race, David de la Cruz was unfortunately forced to abandon the stage due to a worsening chest infection.

Stage 5 tomorrow will see the race conclude in Malaga in the town of Mijas with a 13km TT which should favour McNulty, who now sits 10th overall.

McNulty : “ It was a short stage so it was pretty much full gas all day. I stayed with the other four guys on the climb and I noticed them looking at each other so I said I’d give it a go. Maybe I went a little too soon and the guys attacked me on the last kicker. Hopefully I’ll get some more time back tomorrow. I’ve seen the course and it looks a little tricky but I’m pretty solid at handling a TT bike. It’s been a hard week and but I’ll give whatever I have in the tank for tomorrow.”

Stage 4 results

1.Jack Haig (Mitchelton Scott) 3h07’35’’

2.Jakob Fuglsang (Astana)

3. Mikel Landa (Bahrain McLaren) +0’’

4. Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) +27’’

General Classification after stage 4

1.Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) 17h30’01’’

2.Mikel Landa (Bahrain-McLaren) +14’’

3.Jack Haig (Bahrain-McLaren) +35’’

10.Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) +2’59’

Rui Costa 5th in penultimate day in Algarve

Portuguese rider just three seconds off race lead

Rui Costa continued his consistent streak with 5th place on stage 4 of the Volta ao Algarve (2.Pro) on the uphill finish from Albufeira to Malhão (169.7k), while teammate Jan Polanc finished closely behind in 9th place.

The day was won by Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) who got the jump on the group of favourites within the final 800 metres.

Costa now sits in 5th place in the GC , just 3 seconds off race leader Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck Quick Step), heading into the final stage TT in Lagoa (20.3km) where he will aim to move into a final podium spot.

Rui Costa : “It was a really hard stage with the two final climbs. The motivation was high as it has been all week within the team. It was a very explosive finish and I just lacked the extra kick at the end. I’m still happy with my performance and I didn’t lose any real time – it’s very close at the top of the GC so tomorrow will decide everything. ”

 
Stage 4 results

1.Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) 4h16’25’’
2.Dan Martin (ISU Nation) +2’’
3.Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck -Quick Step) +4’’
5. Rui Costa (UAE Team Emirates) +5’’

General Classification after stage 4

1.Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck Quick Step) 18h59’35’’
2.Dan Martin (ISU Nation) +0’’
3.Max Schachmann (Bora hansgrohe) +0’’
5. Rui Costa (UAE Team Emirates) +3’’