Ganna defends San Juan lead

Filippo Ganna fought back to the first group in stage four with the help of Team UAE Emirates to defend his Vuelta a San Juan lead in Argentina. After the 182.8 kilometres from Valle Fertin to Villa San Agustin, he put on the general classification leader’s jersey again.

The stage began with an hour’s delay so the organiser could clean the debris along the course left by a strong overnight storm. At the end of the day, Argentine cyclist Maximiliano Richeze (Quick-Step Floors) won the stage ahead of Italians Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek-Segafredo) and Matteo Pelucchi (Bora-Hansgrohe). Ganna maintained his overall lead ahead of Rafal Majka and Oscar Sevilla.

“My first day as the leader passed well thanks to all my team,” said Ganna. “During the race, the speed was high and with a head-wind on the climb, which helped those of us who were riding in the wheels. When Gaviria crashed, I was behind and the group split in several parts, but I was in good company and together a Troia and Ait Al Abdia, we bridged the gap. I made a big effort, but everything went well in the final.”

The Vuelta a San Juan will enjoy a rest day tomorrow, Thursday, which is rare in a weeklong stage race. The organiser decided to do so and asked to the UCI governing body so that the race could rest after a day of long transfers to and from the hotel. The race will restart Friday with the fifth stage from San Martin to Alto Colorado, 169.5 kilometres. The queen stage of this 2018 edition ends with a 15-kilometre summit finish that takes the riders to 2565 metres, climbing with an average gradient of 4.4%.

Results

1 Maximiliano Richeze (Arg) Quick-Step Floors 4:31:48

2 Giacomo Nizzolo (Ita) Trek-Segafredo s.t.

3 Matteo Pelucchi (Ita) Bora-Hansgrohe s.t.

General classification after stage 4

1 Filippo Ganna (Ita) UAE Team Emirates 11:30:25

2 Rafal Majka (Bora-Hansgrohe) +5’’

3 Oscar Sevilla (Medellin) +11’’