Stage 4 of La Vuelta España Femenina looks pretty flat on paper. But it’s anything but a guaranteed bunch sprint.
The 115.6 km route from Monforte de Lemos to Antas de Ulla rolls almost from start to finish, with two small climbs offering mountain points and just enough bite to keep the pure sprinters honest. The question is, if it is a sprint, how big will the bunch be? The past few days we’ve seen smaller groups vie for the dub. Might this be the same case Wednesday?
Stage 4
An intermediate sprint inside the final five kilometres could add another layer of tension before the run-in tightens. The roads narrow and twist slightly, forcing teams to fight for space well before the line.
The final 1.4 km rise gently at around two to three per cent. It’s not steep, but after a day of constant up and down, it’s enough to make a difference. Legs are beginning to feel tenderized when the women wake up in the morning, by now.
The finish is a bit tricky too. There’s a short 300-m straight and a technical left-right sequence. If you want to win today, you’ll have to be right there, top-five, before it happens.
It’s a finish that could suit a reduced sprint…maybe. However, if things turn messy again, attackers may well sense another opportunity.
It could be another day for Victoria’s Sarah Van Dam of Visma-Lease a Bike. On Tuesday, she took third after a brilliant move by EF Education-Oatly’s Cédrine Kerbaol. The French rider attacked on the crest of the final little ramp after a lull following multiple attacks. It was perfect–she got time as the peloton looked at each other, and the gap held.
Behind, the sprint for second was fierce, with Belgian Lotte Kopecky taking runner-up, and Van Dam right there for third.
Stage 4 is the final day of racing in the Galician region.
Coverage begins on FloBikes.com at 9:25 a.m. EDT.
Afterwards, check back here on Canadian Cycling Magazine for a full report. ¡Vamos, SVD!
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