09 Feb 2019
Not to be on Valencia queen stage
Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana stage four: Vila-Real – Alcala-Alcocebre, 188km
Team Sky’s riders put up a brave fight on the steep slopes of Ermita Santa Llucia on the queen stage in Valencia.
Diego Rosa and David de la Cruz crossed the line 16th and 17th respectively after gradually slipping back in the final kilometre.
With ramps of up to 23% in places, the day’s final climb provided a stiff test, with Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) powering clear to claim victory ahead of world champion Alejandro Valverde (Movistar).
Fourth on the stage was enough to ensure Ion Izagirre (Astana) moved into the yellow jersey with one day to go. Rosa remains the best-placed Team Sky rider in 11th overall.
Reaction
- Gabriel Rasch
"The guys got in a good position for the climb but in the end we just didn't quite have the legs today.
"It's a short, flat sprint stage tomorrow. It's going to be quite windy out there so we need to be awake. We'll go all in for (Chris) Lawless. He's going quite well and we'll support him 100%."
What’s Next?
- Gabriel Rasch
"The guys got in a good position for the climb but in the end we just didn't quite have the legs today.
"It's a short, flat sprint stage tomorrow. It's going to be quite windy out there so we need to be awake. We'll go all in for (Chris) Lawless. He's going quite well and we'll support him 100%."
What’s Next?
The race concludes with a short, sharp sprinter test on Sunday afternoon. Four laps of a central circuit in Valencia should provide a perfect platform for the fast men.
Stage four result:
1. Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) 4:54:57
2. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) s.t.
3. Pello Bilbao (Astana) +2"
4. Ion Izagirre (Astana) +3"
5. Dan Martin (UAE-Team Emirates) +4"
16. Diego Rosa (Team Sky) +45"
17. David de la Cruz (Team Sky) +50"
Overall standings:
1. Ion Izagirre (Astana) 14:18:27
2. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) +7"
3. Pello Bilbao (Astana) s.t.
4. Dan Martin (UAE-Team Emirates) +16"
5. Dylan Teuns (Bahrain-Merida) +18"
11. Diego Rosa (Team Sky) +57"
15. David de la Cruz (Team Sky) +1:15"
Stage four result:
1. Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) 4:54:57
2. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) s.t.
3. Pello Bilbao (Astana) +2"
4. Ion Izagirre (Astana) +3"
5. Dan Martin (UAE-Team Emirates) +4"
16. Diego Rosa (Team Sky) +45"
17. David de la Cruz (Team Sky) +50"
Overall standings:
1. Ion Izagirre (Astana) 14:18:27
2. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) +7"
3. Pello Bilbao (Astana) s.t.
4. Dan Martin (UAE-Team Emirates) +16"
5. Dylan Teuns (Bahrain-Merida) +18"
11. Diego Rosa (Team Sky) +57"
15. David de la Cruz (Team Sky) +1:15"
