The 4th stage of the Criterium du Dauphine would provide a thrilling finish that saw a reduced peloton arrive at the finish for a bunch sprint. Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) would triumph over Jonas van Genechten (IAM Cycling) and Luka Mezgec (Giant-Alpecin).
The team that had the most prominent presence over the closing kilometers would be our very own African team. With 2 early escapees up the road, the South African Champion Jacques Janse van Rensburg came to the head of the peloton with around 60km to go to start the chase. Jacques was soon joined by Steve Cummings and some of the Cofidis team members.
With 45km to go the 2 rider break still had a 5 minute lead which ensured the peloton really had to work hard to close the gap. After some more sterling work by Jacques, Steve and also Serge Pauwels over the final 25km’s, the original break were caught. With a lumpy and technical finish there were countless riders attacking from the front of the peloton. Tim Wellens (Lotto-Soudal) was the only rider to get away and pose some sort of threat to the sprint hopefuls, but Serge made sure the race would come back together as MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung rode to set up Edvald Boasson Hagen for the sprint.
Under the flamme rouge it was all together and Edvald had the reliable wheel of Reinardt Janse van Rensburg in front of him. Reinie did a super leadout at the head of the peloton while the sprint unfolded behind him. Edvald had to go the long way around Samuel Dumoulin (AG2R La Mondiale) who had jumped early but then veered from the left to the right side of the road. Bouhanni, Genechten and Mezgec who were behind Edvald were able to go left and took the first 3 spots. Edvald had to settle for 4th on the day after a superb team performance. Daniel Teklehaimanot had no trouble retaining his King of the Mountains jersey.
Edvald Boasson Hagen – Rider
JP Heynderickx – Sport Director
